Following the 2023 Defence Strategic Review, an audit was conducted to assess whether Defence estates were fit-for-purpose and able to provide the ADF with the facilities and capabilities it needs to keep Australians safe.
Today, the Commonwealth Government released a public version of the Defence Estate Audit along with its response.
Sixty-eight sites have been identified for whole or partial divestment, including four sites in Western Australia, most notably Irwin Barracks and Leeuwin Barracks.
RSL WA understands the need to reduce maintenance costs and consolidate the Defence Estate where appropriate. However, some of these recommendations were deeply concerning.
Stephen Barton, RSL WA CEO, said the recommendations on the Defence Estate in Western Australia, if enacted, would have severe implications.
“RSL National President, Mr Peter Tinley AM has captured it best when he said the Commonwealth needs to take breath and tap the brakes."
“The Defence Estate divestment plan announced by the Government needs careful consideration.”
“The RSL, the veteran and service community all support the logic behind the rationalising of the Defence Estate. We absolutely get it - we’re a community that understand more than most the need for the facilities and capabilities fit for the task of defending our national interests.”
“However, some of the sites identified seemingly defy logic and common sense.”
“The recommendations relating to sites in Western Australia would, if enacted, decimate the Defence Estate in metropolitan Perth. For example, it is hard to see how there would remain a viable, long-term Army Reserve presence in the state with the loss of Irwin Barracks.”
“The alternative option of Palmer Barracks, a smaller facility in Guildford, is less than ideal, with scant regard paid to scalability, recruitment and retention. A re-think is urgently required.”
“It’s pretty hard to square the circle here: as a nation, we need to have the capability to respond to the most challenging security environment since the Second World War, but due to austerity in Defence spending, we need to sell off great chunks of the defence estate - which means we’re going to lose some of the vital real estate required to prepare and expand our defence capability.”
“The veteran community is all too aware of previous divestment decisions that saw little value to either Defence or the taxpayer. There is a serious trust deficit that both the Commonwealth Government and the Department of Defence need to address.”
