A dramatic overhaul of the nation’s defence property portfolio is set to raise billions of dollars as the Albanese government prepares to override resistance from the military establishment to sell valuable real estate in Sydney, Melbourne and other capital cities.

After sitting on an audit of the sprawling defence estate for almost two years, the Albanese government is poised to unveil contentious plans for a major consolidation of the 3 million-hectare property portfolio.

The lead author of the government’s defence strategic review called for Defence Minister Richard Marles to take bold decisions on asset sales, even if it upset military leaders and politicians.

Historic properties such as Victoria Barracks in inner-city Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are among the sites closely scrut

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