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Senator Sarah Henderson warns that Labor’s plan to sell 67 defence sites risks weakening national security, undermining heritage, and damaging morale amid rising global instability and terrorism fears.

Liberal Senator for Victoria, Sarah Henderson, believes the Albanese Government’s announcement to sell 67 of its defence sites will weaken national security at a time when the threat of terrorism is higher than ever.

Henderson – also the Shadow Minister for Communications and Digital Safety – has genuine concerns regarding the nation’s ability to defend itself against its enemies while it continues to make big cuts across its defence force.

Heritage Sites on the Auction Block

Many of the properties proposed for sale are heritage-listed, including Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne’s Victoria Barracks, and Spectacle Island in the Sydney Harbour, with the federal government holding the belief that the sites have become outdated and dilapidated.

The defence sites identified for divestment and partial divestment came after the government’s response to the Defence Estate Audit.

Reportedly, the sales are expected to bring in a total of $3 billion, with net sales likely to earn $1.8 billion, which would go back into the national defence budget.

But Henderson argued that selling these sites should be the last thing on the Albanese Government’s list of priorities in the current heated geopolitical environment.

That environment has included Communist China conducting live fire drills off the Australian east coast in February last year, just two per cent of national gross domestic product being spent on defence and the biggest terrorism event in the nation’s history on 14 December.

That was when 15 innocent people were murdered by Islamic State-inspired gunmen at Bondi Beach while celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.

“This is a national disgrace. This is nothing short of a fire sale of some of our most precious assets,” Henderson told The Daily Declaration.

Veterans and Community Push Back

Henderson spoke at the Save the Fort rally in Queenscliff on Sunday, where she singled out Minister for Defence and federal Labor member for Corio, Richard Marles, and federal member for Corangamite, Libby Coker.

Fort Queenscliff – which overlooks the shipping lanes leading to Melbourne and Geelong – is among the defence sites identified for divestment and partial divestment.

This also includes the nearby Swan Island used by Queenscliff Golf Club.

“For Richard Marles and Libby Coker to allow this to go ahead on their watch – the defence minister, of course, represents part of Geelong – is appalling,” Henderson said.

Victoria Senator Sarah Henderson addresses the crowd at the Save the Fort rally in Queenscliff on 1 March 2026. Picture: Josh Spasaro.

“This shows complete contempt for our region, heritage and defence capability.

“On a day (Sunday) when war has broken out in the Middle East, we stand for freedom, against oppression, and we stand with the Iranian people.

“And we stand with our men and women of the Australian Defence Force. This is too precious to sell.”

Democratic Iranian-Australians danced on the streets of major Australian cities including Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane on Sunday, celebrating the killing of former oppressive Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, assassinated by US air strikes.

But there are still genuine fears there could be multiple retaliatory terrorist attacks throughout Australia as a result of the US’s current Operation Epic Fury against the Iranian regime.

And Henderson believes the Albanese Government selling its defence assets at this time will have a massive detrimental effect on collective morale across the nation’s military.

“It (national security) is so compromised. This is a government that has failed to put Australians first,” she said.

“Under (Opposition Leader) Angus Taylor and the Coalition, we are determined to get our country back on track.

“And one of the commitments from today is that we will not allow the Fort to be sold.”

Former federal member for Menzies, Keith Wolahan, served as a captain in the Australian Army and was dispatched on combat tours to Timor Leste and Afghanistan.

He weighed into the debate, saying the Albanese Government’s proposal to sell off its defence sites was a slap in the face for all combat veterans.

“Some assets are doing nothing. But I think the heritage assets like Victoria Barracks in Sydney, Melbourne and other places, they’re different,” he said.

“That’s because if we lose that connection to our history and big cities, then defence is something that happens far away, and we know nothing about it.

“Defence is about defending where we are now. And that barracks (Victoria Barracks, Melbourne) is just down there, and it’s important that people look at it and say ‘that’s history’.

“And it’s not just a relic. It’s about who we are now, and where we want to be in the future.

“I think so (selling them is a slap in the face to veterans).”

Government Defends Estate Overhaul

Marles backed his government’s decision, recently saying the Australian Defence Force could no longer afford to keep its military sites.

“In order for the Australian Defence Force to protect our nation and keep Australians safe, it must have a Defence estate that meets its operational and capability needs,” he said in a statement.

“For many years this has not been the case, with many Defence sites vacant, decaying, under-utilised and costing millions of dollars to maintain.”

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher added proceeds from the sales would be reinvested in key Defence priorities, while Coker said the federal government would listen to community concerns.

“The Defence review found it (Fort Queenscliff) is no longer needed to protect our country; however, it’s a valuable and unique part of our history,” Coker said in a Facebook video.

“Our military history belongs to Australia and should be celebrated by all Australians.

“We’re just at the start of this process, and our government is listening to you. There will be opportunity for consultation for your views to be heard.”

Security Fears in a Volatile Climate

Henderson added that the federal government proceeding with selling its defence sites was poor timing given the conflict in the Middle East, and the Albanese Government’s reluctance to provide personnel support for Israel and the US in its ongoing fight against radical Islamic terrorism.

The federal government’s call for official statehood recognition to Palestine – after controlling body Hamas’ terror attacks resulted in over 1,200 Israelis killed on October 7, 2023 – was also criticised as “shameful” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“We have seen a systemic failure by the Albanese Government to support Israel, our closest ally in the Middle East,” Henderson said.

“A wonderful democratic nation. We’ve worked side by side with Israel. And so, on so many levels, I think Australians have a right to feel betrayed by the Albanese Government.”

Queenscliff man Ian Royce attended the Save the Fort rally along with several hundred local residents on Sunday.

He echoed Henderson’s comments, saying the Albanese Government was weakening the nation’s Judeo-Christian foundations by selling off its defence assets.

“The bottom line is that there’s no evidence that Labor cares about the history of Australia – only selected bits and pieces,” he said.

“You’ve got to wonder whether they are weakening our country.

“Coming here and visiting a fort also brings home the realism of war, that it can happen, and you can’t take your freedom for granted.

“It has had to be fought for before, and it will have to be fought for again. Some would say that we’re going through that process a bit now.”

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Featured image: Victoria Senator Sarah Henderson united with local residents to form a picket line as they campaigned against the Albanese Government’s proposed selling of Fort Queenscliff. Picture: Josh Spasaro.