Andrew Hastie (Canning, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Home Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

Shame on the Albanese government for their neglect of the Australian Defence Force. Shame on the Albanese government for the way they have stripped out the Defence budget. Shame on the Albanese government for the way they have compromised our warfighting capability. Shame on the Albanese government for the way they have destroyed the morale of our fighting men and women, and shame on the Albanese government for the news today that they are selling off our prime defence land and bases across our country.

Labor is selling off historic bases like Victoria Barracks in Sydney and Melbourne, central to the ADF's identity and history. Labor is selling off important bases like Irwin Barracks in Perth, home to the 13th Brigade and the heart and soul of our Army Reserve in the west. Labor is selling off key bases like HMAS Penguin, which provide an important presence and capability in Sydney for the Royal Australian Navy, and Labor is selling off land near sensitive bases like Swan Island in Victoria, putting at risk important capabilities.

The Albanese government are not stewards; they are wreckers, and they are wrecking our inheritance. They are pushing our fighting men and women and their families further away from the cities that we depend upon for the recruitment of our soldiers, sailors and airmen. Why? For money—it's all about money. That's why I say again: shame on the Albanese government for this shortsighted and foolish decision. These bases belong to the Australian people. Why do you think you have the right to sell them off?

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