RSL NSW opposes rushed plan to move Army personnel from Victoria Barracks as Albanese Government weighs potential sale

A veterans’ advocacy group has condemned reports of a rushed move to remove Australian Army personnel from a heritage military precinct , warning the barracks must not be sold.

Returned and Services League of Australia NSW (RSL) President Brigadier Vince Williams said the organisation was “appalled” by reports of plans to relocate personnel from their inner-city base at Sydney ’s Victoria Barracks, describing it as the “spiritual home of the Australian Army”.

The statement follows reports Army personnel were initially directed to leave by December 19, before Defence clarified the order had been rescinded.

The Federal Government’s proposed sale of 67 Defence properties across Australia forms part of a wider overhaul of its military estate, with the program expected to generate around $1.8 billion.

The 1840s-established Victoria Barracks, listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List, is one of the gems in a $2 billion sale of Defence land, following an audit which found the sites surplus to requirements and costly to maintain.

The sale is expected to raise billions of dollars, with the money to be reinvested in the country’s defence force.

Defence has said relocations could begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, but would only proceed once security, workforce and operational requirements were met.

Defence Minister Richard Marles has reportedly confirmed the Albanese government wants Defence personnel out of the site “as soon as possible”.

Williams said the clarification had done little to ease concerns about the future of the military precinct.

“Reports that Army personnel were initially directed to vacate the site by 19 December are deeply concerning,” he said.

“While Defence has reportedly clarified that timeframe, the Minister for Defence has confirmed that the Government wants Defence personnel out of Victoria Barracks ‘as soon as possible’.”

The RSL NSW president described the consultation process as “little more than a box-ticking exercise”, following what he called a superficial review of the Defence estate.

“We have seen no compelling case that demonstrates how removing Defence from Victoria Barracks strengthens capability, supports serving personnel or serves Australia’s long-term national interest,” he said.

The organisation also raised concerns about Defence committing hundreds of millions of dollars to commercial office accommodation elsewhere in Sydney while potentially abandoning a site with almost 180 years of military history.