John Howard Urges Reversal of Defense Land Selloff at Sydney Rally of Thousands
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Oct 25
John Howard Urges Reversal of Defense Land Selloff at Sydney Rally of Thousands
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Oct 25
Summary
John Howard told a Sydney rally of a few thousand that the Albanese government should reverse plans to sell defense land in prime locations, saying he would be first to congratulate the prime minister if he changed course.
Victoria Barracks was the focal point of the protest, which drew support from across party lines and turned the proposed sale into a rare exception to Australia’s broader pro-housing, pro-development shift.
One Nation members also attended, while some in the crowd wearing “Make Albo Go Away” hats called for Anthony Albanese to resign or be sacked, exposing sharper anti-government anger off stage.
Sydney’s severe housing shortage and decades of resistance to higher-density development have pushed most mainstream parties toward a “YIMBY” stance, making the defense land fight an unusual cross-spectrum backlash.