Parliament could block sales of defence land
The government plans to sell or partly sell 67 defence sites, including Victoria Barracks in three cities. This private bill from Senator James Paterson would give Parliament the power to stop each sale of defence land to a private buyer.
Official name: Protecting Australia’s Defence Heritage Bill 2026
- Defence land could only be sold to a private buyer if the finance minister first names it in a written rule.
- Parliament could cancel that rule, which would block the sale.
- The defence minister would have to tell Parliament why each sale is good for the nation.
- It covers sales of land and leases of more than 50 years. Sales made before the law starts are not affected.
- Senator James Paterson brought it into the Senate on 14 October 2026.
Who it affects
- The federal government: It would need Parliament not to object before selling defence land to private buyers.
- Members of Parliament and senators: They would get a say on each sale and a statement on why it is needed.
- Towns and cities near defence sites: Local bases like Victoria Barracks could only be sold if Parliament lets it happen.
- Private buyers and developers: Buying defence land would take longer and could be blocked.
67 defence sites up for sale
Senator James Paterson brought this bill into the Senate on 14 October 2026. It is a private bill. That means a member of Parliament brought it in, not a minister.
In 2023 the government ordered a check of all defence land. It wanted to know if the land still fit the needs of the armed forces. The checkers reported back in December 2023.
In February 2026 the government said it would sell 64 sites in full and 3 in part. These were sites the check said did not fit future needs.
They include Victoria Barracks in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. They also include the navy base Penguin and Lancer Barracks in New South Wales. In Victoria, they include the air force base Williams, Fort Queenscliff and the navy base Cerberus. Irwin Barracks in Perth and Kokoda Barracks in northern Tasmania are on the list too.
Why the senator wants it
The senator's notes on the bill say Australia faces its most dangerous times since the Second World War. They say land that looks spare today may be vital tomorrow. Once it is sold, we cannot get it back.
The notes say Parliament now has little power to check these sales. They say defence heritage should belong to the people.
In March 2026 the Senate asked a group of senators to look into the sales. The group held seven public hearings and got almost 200 written comments.
In September 2026 it put out a first report. It found poor public talks with the community and gaps in the checks. It said the result was set before the work was done.
Defence told the group it hopes to make $1.8 billion after clean-up and moving costs. The group's report said the program is not likely to make money overall.
The report asked the government to stop the sales. It also asked Parliament to make a law that lets it block them. This bill is that law.
Which land it covers
The bill changes the Lands Acquisition Act 1989. That law covers how the federal government buys and sells land.
Defence land would mean land run or controlled by the Department of Defence or the armed forces. It would also mean land used only for them. The government could add other land to the list in its detailed rules.
The bill covers two kinds of sale. One is selling the land outright. The other is a lease of more than 50 years.
A private buyer is anyone who is not a government buyer under that law.
The notes say it is not meant to slow down simple deals, like leases for office space or storage.
How Parliament could say no
The finance minister runs the land law. Under the bill, this minister could not approve a sale of defence land to a private buyer straight away.
First, the minister would have to name the land in a written rule. This rule goes to Parliament. Either house can vote to cancel it.
The finance minister could only make that rule if the defence minister agrees the sale is in the national interest.
Say the government wants to sell an old army depot to a builder. The finance minister names it in a rule. Senators could then vote to cancel that rule. If they do, the sale cannot go ahead.
A reason for each sale
The defence minister would have to write a statement for each rule. It must say why the sale is in the national interest.
The statement must be given to each house within 2 sitting days after the rule is put before that house.
The notes say this helps Parliament decide whether to cancel the sale.
Waiting in the Senate
The bill would start the day after it is signed into law by the Governor-General. The Governor-General is the King's representative.
It would cover any sale approved after that day. That includes land the government owned long before. Sales approved before that day are not affected.
On 14 October 2026 the senator brought the bill into the Senate. He also moved the vote on its main idea that day. That vote has not been held yet.
The Senate would need to pass the bill. Then the House of Representatives would need to pass it too. Private bills often wait a long time and many never get a vote.
Its journey through Parliament
| 14 Oct 2026 | Senate: Introduced and read a first time |
| 14 Oct 2026 | Senate: Second reading moved |