Australian Government Drops Victoria Barracks Sale and Appoints Peter Dutton to War Memorial Council

The Albanese government announced it will retain ownership of the colonial-era Victoria Barracks in Sydney, abandoning a previously considered sale that was intended to help recover billions of dollars in budget savings. Defence Minister Richard Marles said the decision reflects community feedback and will not affect the federal budget.

"We’ve been clearly listening to the community, working through the future of each of these sites," Marles told ABC Radio National.

Former opposition leader Peter Dutton was appointed to the council that oversees the Australian War Memorial. A statement from Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh highlighted Dutton’s two-decade parliamentary service and his role as defence minister in 2021, noting his continued commitment to national interests.

"Mr Dutton served in Australia’s Parliament for two decades and, as Minister for Defence, he drove major reforms focused on national security and military readiness," the statement said.

A poll conducted by the publication’s Resolve Political Monitor found only 20 % of voters trust Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, with 42 % attributing the cost-of-living crisis to the Labor government. Nationals MP Michael McCormack described the backtrack on the barracks sale as “embarrassing” but necessary, while opposition leader Angus Taylor was reported to be gaining favor among voters.

"I think Angus Taylor stands for something, and he in his very first speech made it very clear he wanted to restore our standard of living," Nationals MP David Littleproud told News24.

In related developments, U.S. President Donald Trump told CNN he is unlikely to order new attacks on Iran if diplomatic talks progress, and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed support for impeaching U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth.