Russian Antarctic Missile Alert Spurs Concerns Over Australia’s Shrinking Defence Footprint

Retired Colonel Ross Byrne has criticized the government’s plan to sell 67 historic Defence land assets and facilities, stating that Defence and the government have abandoned Tasmania. He warned that selling off depots results in a permanent loss of soldiers. Three retired senior officers testified that they believed the proposal was ill-conceived.

• Retired Colonel Ross Byrne claims Defence and the government have abandoned Tasmania.
• The criticism is in response to Labor’s plan to sell 67 historic Defence land assets and facilities.
• The proposed sell-off aims to generate around $2 billion to address high government debt.
• Three retired senior officers testified against the proposal, calling it ill-conceived.
• Colonel Byrne warned that selling depots leads to the permanent loss of soldiers.