The federal government's sale of Victoria Barracks in Sydney, part of a wider sale of 67 properties, has drawn criticism from veterans, politicians and heritage groups. Clinical psychologist Nadia Teong says the decision's human cost should be counted alongside its financial cost.
In an opinion piece, retired Army Major and clinical psychologist Nadia Teong writes that the veterans she knows are angry and grieving over the sale. She says the government's case is based on money: the defence minister has said keeping Victoria Barracks as a defence site would cost about $200 million over the next decade, and the wider sale is expected to raise billions. About 500 people at the barracks are packing boxes to leave by Christmas.
Teong describes the loss as “disenfranchised grief” and says research on “institutional betrayal” shows harm from a trusted organisation can cut deeper than harm from strangers. She says many veterans already carry moral injury. She points to the 2024 Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, writing that one of its clearest themes was how much veterans' wellbeing depends on whether they feel valued by the institution.
The barracks has anchored army life in Sydney since before Federation, and generations of soldiers have trained there and left for war. Teong writes that young Australians considering a defence career are watching how the country treats those who served before them.
RSL NSW, heritage groups, John Howard and NSW Premier Chris Minns have spoken against the sale. Allegra Spender, Alex Greenwich, Tony Abbott and other politicians joined the Victoria Barracks protest. Teong calls on the government to count the full costs, talk properly with the veteran community, and keep the barracks in public hands.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Directly affects about 500 staff relocating and carries deep symbolic weight for the wider veteran community in Sydney.
- Comes two years after a royal commission that stressed the importance of veterans feeling valued; critics say selling a historic base sends the opposite message.
- The outcome may set a precedent for the disposal of other defence properties across the country.
Background
Victoria Barracks in Sydney has been an army headquarters and training ground since before Australian Federation. The federal government decided to sell it as part of a larger disposal of 67 defence sites, with the defence minister citing maintenance costs of $200 million over a decade and the need to raise billions for other priorities. In 2024, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide handed down its final report, emphasising that veterans' wellbeing depends significantly on whether they feel valued by the institution they served.
Key Perspectives
Veteran community (as described by Nadia Teong): Angry and grieving at the sale, feeling abandoned by an institution that shaped their identity, and distressed that the decision was announced without consultation.
Defence Minister (as paraphrased by Teong): Keeping Victoria Barracks as a defence site would cost about $200 million over ten years, and the broader sale of 67 properties is expected to raise billions of dollars.
Opponents (RSL NSW, heritage groups, John Howard, Chris Minns, Allegra Spender, Alex Greenwich, Tony Abbott): Have publicly opposed the sale, arguing for the site's retention.
What to Watch
- Whether the Christmas relocation deadline proceeds or is delayed by the growing backlash.
- The response of the federal government, including any further engagement with veteran groups.
- Potential impact on the broader defence property disposal program.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedVeterans and politicians oppose the sale of Victoria Barracks.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “They are angry about the sale of Victoria Barracks.”
- SupportedA royal commission highlighted the importance of veterans feeling valued by the institution they served.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “One of the clearest threads running through it was how much veterans’ wellbeing depends on whether they feel valued by the institution they served.”
- Partly supportedThe federal government is selling Victoria Barracks in Sydney.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Two years later, the government is selling a place that has anchored army life in Sydney since before Federation.”
- SupportedThe Victoria Barracks sale is part of a wider sale of 67 properties.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “the wider sale of 67 properties is expected to raise billions.”
- SupportedThe sale has drawn criticism from veterans.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Over the past few months I’ve heard the same thing, on repeat, from veterans I know through my networks. They are angry about the sale of Victoria Barracks.”
- SupportedThe sale has drawn criticism from politicians and heritage groups.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “RSL NSW, heritage groups, John Howard and NSW Premier Chris Minns have all spoken against the sale.”
- SupportedThe defence minister said keeping Victoria Barracks as a defence site would cost about $200 million over the next decade.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The defence minister says keeping Victoria Barracks as a defence site would cost about $200 million over the next decade”
- SupportedThe wider sale is expected to raise billions.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “the wider sale of 67 properties is expected to raise billions.”
- SupportedAbout 500 people at the barracks are packing boxes to leave by Christmas.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “about 500 people there are packing boxes to be out by Christmas.”
- SupportedTeong describes the loss as “disenfranchised grief”.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Psychologists call this disenfranchised grief: a loss others don’t see as worth mourning, so people carry it alone.”
- SupportedResearch on institutional betrayal says harm from a trusted organisation can cut deeper than harm from strangers.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The research on institutional betrayal shows that harm from an organisation you trusted and depended on can cut deeper than harm from strangers”
- SupportedOne of the Royal Commission’s clearest themes was the importance of veterans feeling valued by the institution they served.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “One of the clearest threads running through it was how much veterans’ wellbeing depends on whether they feel valued by the institution they served.”