Albanese government yet to release response to defence estate audit
The future of prime defence land remains under a cloud, with the Albanese government yet to respond to an audit into Defence’s $31.3bn property portfolio.
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The future of prime defence land in the heart of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane remains under a cloud with the Albanese government yet to respond to a secret report into Defence’s $31.3bn property portfolio.
Pressure is mounting on the government to release the defence estate audit, which it received seven months ago, as a housing crisis grips the nation.
The lack of available land for development is a key driver of increased new housing costs, with the Greens claiming the culture of secrecy in defence is harming our national interest.
“If there is advice that shows that this land is not being fully utilised by Defence, then why are we not acting now to change that and put it to a better public purpose?” Greens defence spokesman David Shoebridge said.
“We are in the middle of a housing crisis, one of the hurdles for building new public housing is finding the land.
“Maybe part of the answer is buried away in this secret report.”
Historic sites including Victoria Barracks on St Kilda Rd in Melbourne, as well in Sydney and Brisbane, were among more than 70 sites included the audit conducted by Jan Mason, former managing director of Defence Housing Australia, and Jim Miller, chair of the Infrastructure Victoria board.
Experts believe the total estate, which covers 2.8 million hectares, would have a resale value of $68bn.
Defence is expected to increase its forecast revenue through the proceeds of land sales and buildings by more than $400m over the next three years, according to budget statements.
The Master Builders Association previously supported the government designating bases no longer fit for purpose for residential and commercial construction to help address inadequate housing supply.
But Raelene Lockhorst, from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, warned against making decision for short-term gains saying once a site in a key metropolitan location was divested, the government would not be able to afford to repurchase it.
The Coalition has previously claimed that the sale of Victoria Barracks in Sydney and Melbourne would “be an act of cultural vandalism”, striking at the “heart and soul” of the Australian Army.
Opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie said the delay was consistent with the “weak performance” of the Albanese Government, which had overseen lengthy reviews with little to show for it.
“It’s taken Labor nearly twice the amount of time to consider the recommendations than it did for the independent leads to write the report itself,” Mr Hastie said.
“As we approach a year since Labor announced the defence estate audit, the Defence Minister should stop sitting on the report and release his recommendations.”
A spokeswoman for Mr Marles said: “The government will carefully consider the report and its recommendations and will respond in due course”.
Mr Marles is expected to take on the responsibility of defence estates, after assistant minister for defence Matt Thistlethwaite was appointed to the immigration portfolio under Labor’s frontbench reshuffle.
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