Veterans’ arts group slams government over inaction at 310 St Kilda Rd

Despite emerging victorious from its landslide election win on May 3, the Albanese Labor Government continues to face backlash from the veterans’ community for its “failure” to act on the former Repatriation Clinic at Victoria Barracks.

As reported extensively by Southbank News for more than a decade, the Australian National Veterans Arts Museum (ANVAM) has lobbied all sides of government to establish its home in the Art Deco building at 310 St Kilda Rd. Its proposal includes a gallery, arts studios and mental health support services for the rehabilitation of veterans.

The Department of Defence has long deemed the site surplus to requirements. However, the former Repatriation Clinic has now been vacant for 30 years at an ongoing cost to taxpayers.

In 2023, Southbank News reported that Defence was reviewing its entire estate portfolio as part of an independent audit, which would include the 5.7-hectare Victoria Barracks on St Kilda Rd.

But despite the Labor Party having committed to supporting ANVAM’s proposal 10 years ago, with former Prime Ministerial candidate Bill Shorten even including it as part of his election platform, the Albanese government has remained tight-lipped.

Re-elected Macnamara MP Josh Burns told the Herald Sun in April that the government was still considering the recommendations of the Defence Estate Audit, “but I personally know the community is keen to ensure maximum benefit and heritage protection so that the site can be enjoyed into the future.”

Practising veteran artist Chris Forden slammed the government’s lack of willpower.

“The Defence Estate Audit was handed to the government on December 28, 2023. It is now May 2025. That’s over 15 months of sitting on a report that could unlock real, tangible change for our community,” Mr Forden said.

“Let me be clear: this isn’t about ‘due diligence’. It’s not about ‘timing’. It’s about a total lack of will to honour a decade-old commitment.”

ANVAM chairman and director Mark Johnston said it was time for the government to “deliver on the wishes of the community”, adding that it was losing all moral authority on the issue.

“ANVAM has demonstrated the clear benefits to our National Defence Strategy and to the wellbeing of the veteran community of this initiative, and has the wherewithal to deliver on this project,” Mr Johnston said.

“I feel sad for the Prime Minister. He says how much a part of his life former prisoner of war, Tom Uren, played. Tom himself says that Weary Dunlop was the greatest influence on his life, and the place we are speaking of is opposite Weary’s statue on St Kilda Rd.”

“What’s more, Weary often visited the clinic on his daily commute between his office and home.”

Mr Johnston reiterated that ANVAM’s vision for the property would connect and support the growing veteran arts community, “save the government millions in veteran health and wellbeing initiatives”, and help realise the vision of the National Defence Strategy. •