Coalition to introduce bill to stop government’s ‘fire sale’ of Defence properties

Key points

• The Coalition will introduce a Senate bill that would give parliament power to block the sale of Defence sites. Opposition defence spokesman James Paterson says the government is selling off significant assets because it refuses to fund Defence adequately.
• The government plans to wholly or partly divest up to 67 sites, including Victoria Barracks, Point Cook and HMAS Penguin. Assistant Defence Minister Peter Khalil says some sites are unused, and that HMAS Penguin's operational centre will be retained.
• A petition against the sale of Fairbairn Golf Course has been launched by its members.