Defence Estate Petition

Petition Reasons 

On 4 February 2026, the Government announced it would divest 67 Defence estate sites – the most significant reform to the Defence estate in Australian history – without public consultation or the opportunity for stakeholders to respond to the plan. Many veterans and serving members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) have deep connections to the identified sites and many of the sites are still used by ADF personnel and/or hold significant heritage value to the Australian community. Yet, the Government’s decision to sell these assets was based on the Defence Estate Audit completed in 2023, and does not seem to have considered recent developments in Australia's strategic circumstances, reserve force structure or mobilisation requirements; nor does it detail clear transition arrangements for sites that are used by permanent forces, reserve units and cadet organisations.  

Petition Request 

Therefore, we ask that the Senate refer an inquiry into the planned management, use and disposal of Defence estate assets (proposed in the Government’s 2026 response to the Defence Estate Audit) to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee. Such an Inquiry should require the Government to clearly identify and set out the reasons for its divestment decisions, provide detailed information on how its planning aligns with Australia’s defence needs, the adequacy of transition arrangements, suitability of each asset for divestment, and assumptions used to cost returns from divestment; as well as consider public submissions on use, value and connections to the sites.