We oppose the sale of HMAS Penguin.
Department of Defence Partial Divestment of HMAS Penguin
SYDNEY HARBOUR FEDERATION TRUST AND ALBANESE SUPPORT
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has previously conveyed his personal support for the principle of retaining former military land in public ownership.
First, in his speech to the House of Representatives on 27 February 2001, during the reading of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Bill 2000 —
Read the speech here >
“Strong protection is needed here because at some point in the future governments under financial constraints will be under pressure to sell land. We have seen on a number of issues relating to Sydney that people who perhaps do not understand the importance of this green space are put under pressure from bureaucrats in the departments of treasury, finance and others to find funds.”
“The vision that Niel Nielsen had and Tom Uren shares and still pursues is still possible, as long as the Defence lands on the shores of Sydney Harbour remain in public hands.”
Anthony Albanese acknowledged the historic significance of preserving the Sydney Harbour foreshore lands:
He emphasised that open green spaces make Sydney a more equal city, noting that whether you are a "millionaire or a pensioner," everyone gets to enjoy the same magnificent views.
He felt the legislation represented a "lost opportunity," arguing that parliament could have secured a total ban on private sales if the government had stuck to its pre-1998 election commitments.
He noted the natural grandeur of Sydney Harbour versus the industrialised electorate of Grayndler and the Cooks River, which underlined why accessible public harbour lands are vital for everyday working-class families who travel across the city to use them.
Second, his speech to Parliament on 1 June 2021 during the reading of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Amendment Bill 2021 —
Read the speech here >
“Whilst it’s true that very few people can afford to live with harbour views, the truth is everyone can enjoy harbour views and can enjoy the amenity around Sydney Harbour because of that access, which is why it’s so important that this national parliament continue to do what previous generations have done, which is to protect harbour foreshores.”
“If we get it wrong once, it disappears forever.”
Albanese strongly supported transitioning the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust into a permanent entity to guarantee long-term public ownership, protection, and maintenance of these iconic sites.
He reiterated his decade-long opposition to over-commercialisation, endorsing the bill's legislative cap on leases at 35 years, a critical safeguard against stealth privatisation.
He pushed for the Trust to place greater legislative recognition on the First Nations cultural history embedded across the Sydney Harbour sites, ensuring indigenous heritage is preserved alongside environmental assets.
Join the Rally to Save HMAS Penguin
Sunday 11 October 2026
11:00 am — 12:30 p
Balmoral Beach Rotunda
Organised by Headland Preservation Group (HPG) with support from Mosman Parks and Bushland Association, Birdlife Australia, Willoughby Environmental Protection Association (WEPA), Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) and Mosman Council.
LATEST NEWS
Mosman Parks & Bushland Association has played a major role in preserving Mosman’s individual character and landscape.
Mosman is renowned for its trees, harbour views and bushwalks. In too many other places, bushland has been bulldozed, views are blocked by foreshore buildings, there is little or no access to the water, and birds and native flowers are gone. Do not take public land, parks and bushland for granted!
Our mission is to preserve and protect Mosman’s unique parks and bushland heritage.
As the size and density of Sydney’s population grows, public land, open space and bushland become ever more essential for its residents. At the same time, these population pressures increase the threats from development, sectional interests and changes to planning laws.
Public land, parks and bushland cannot be taken for granted.
Where it all started.
Mosman Parks & Bushland Association is an Advocacy group and a Bush Regeneration group.
In 1964 a road was bulldozed across a park and that was the beginning of our Advocacy. At the same time the idea of Bush Regeneration was being born.
Bradley Bushland Reserve, an example of how the Bradley method of bush regeneration can work in practice.
The central section of the Bradley Bushland Reserve is an example of how the Bradley method of bush regeneration can work in practice, even in a small reserve. Areas near paths, roads and parks show how bushcare volunteers can contribute to the natural environment.
“Our members work towards conserving and protecting Mosman’s valuable green space.”
— Kate Eccles, MPBA President
Membership numbers make our voice stronger.
Members can help in various ways. It could be bushcare, letter writing, attending meetings, rallying, or spreading the word about saving public land and bushland.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country, in particular the Cammeraygal and Borogegal people of the Eora Nation on whose land the Mosman Parks & Bushland Association is located. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture and are honoured to carry on their legacy of caring for country. We pay our respect to Elders, past, present and emerging.
The Mosman Parks & Bushland Association is grateful to Mosman Council for the community grant which made the creation of this website possible.
We also appreciate Marta Sengers for website design and ongoing advice.