Henderson keeps fighting against fort sale

VICTORIAN  Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson is continuing to protest against the Albanese government’s plan to sell off Fort Queenscliff, describing it as “a national disgrace”.

Labor’s response to the Defence Estate Audit includes divesting 64 defence sites across Australia.

These include Fort Queenscliff, the Geelong Air Force Cadet Unit in Newtown, Training Ship Barwon on the Geelong Waterfront and land on the western side of Swan Island in Queenscliff presently used by the Queenscliff Golf Club.

In response, Senator Henderson criticised the move as a “fire sale” and convened a public meeting about the issue at the Queenscliff Recreation Reserve clubrooms on Sunday last week, which she said had about 200 people in attendance.

In a post on her Facebook page this week, which included a video of the crowd chanting “Save the fort”, she said there was “so much outrage” expressed at the meeting, and that the crowd unanimously resolved the fort must remain in Commonwealth hands.

“While greater public use of the fort should be considered including for cultural, tourism and education purposes, a sale to the highest bidder is untenable,” she said.

“Together, we are determined to fight for our heritage, our defence capability and the future of Fort Queenscliff.”

She said a community protest was being organised outside the fort in Gellibrand Street on 1 March from noon, and that Borough of Queenscliffe mayor Donnie Grigau would lead a taskforce that was being established.

Senator Henderson has previously considered wider uses for Fort Queenscliff, hosting a community meeting in September 2018 while she was the Liberal member for Corangamite that included discussion about ways to attract more tourism to the borough.

“I’d love to see an annual event at the fort which becomes a major tourist attraction,” she said at the time.

“I’ve knocked a brewery, a restaurant and cafe on the head, but there has been some talk about a military tattoo – something that is going to be very unique.”

In her own social media video posted last week, Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker said: “I know Fort Queenscliff matters to you. It matters to me as well and it matters to our government.

“The good news is we are taking action to better protect the heritage of this significant site.

“Currently Fort Queenscliff is not very accessible to the public. I know and the community knows that it has a huge amount of potential, not only for celebrating our history but for tourism and boosting our economy.

“In the government’s decision making, we acknowledge the community’s concerns about ensuring Fort Queenscliff is protected.

“There will be opportunity for consultation, and for your views to be heard.”