Albanese government to sell off $3bn worth of historic defence sites amid push to free up space for new homes

Richard Marles has decided to sell more than 60 properties, including Victoria Barracks in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane

The federal government will sell off $3bn in historic defence properties around the country, after a major audit of government land holdings and amid efforts to open up land for new housing development and public spaces.

Historic defence sites – including Victoria Barracks in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane – will be sold after the multi-year audit, with public servants relocated to modern office spaces and heritage sites – including the cabinet rooms used by John Curtin at the height of World War II in Melbourne – opened to the public.