Andrew Leigh (Fenner, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury) Share this | Hansard source

Saving the skate, I am informed by the member for Franklin. The estimated total capital cost for the construction project is $36.7 million, excluding GST.

The proposed works were referred to the Public Works Committee on 20 November 2024. Following its inquiry, the committee has recommended that the House of Representatives resolve that it is expedient to carry out proposed works. Subject to parliamentary approval, the works are expected to commence in March 2026 for completion by September 2027. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee, ably chaired by the member for Moreton, for undertaking a timely inquiry. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.

I move:

That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, it is expedient to carry out the following proposed work which was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and on which the committee has duly reported to Parliament: Department of Defence—Facilities to support LAND 8113 Phase 1 Long Range Fires.

Defence is proposing works to provide new facilities and infrastructure at the Edinburgh Defence Precinct, South Australia, to support a regiment to operate and maintain a new long-range fires capability. At this point, those listening carefully to parliament might have wondered, 'Why did he say "fires" rather than "firing"?' For those unfamiliar with the term, 'fires' is a doctrinal term used in military strategy, which encompasses all forms of long-range offensive action—not just traditional artillery but also missiles, rockets, drone, air strikes and electronic attacks. It is plural and abstract, like 'forces' or 'operations'.

Defence is also proposing works to upgrade and reuse existing training sustainment and storage facilities at the School of Artillery at the Puckapunyal Military Area, Victoria, to also support the new capability. The total estimated cost of the works is $376.7 million, excluding GST.

The proposed works were referred to the Public Works Committee on 6 November 2024. Following its inquiry, the committee recommended that the House of Representatives resolve that it is expedient to carry out the proposed works. Subject to parliamentary approval, the works at Edinburgh are scheduled to commence in late 2025 and be completed by late 2028. The works at Puckapunyal are scheduled to commence in mid-2026 and be completed by late 2026. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee for undertaking a timely inquiry. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.

I move:

That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, it is expedient to carry out the following proposed work which was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and on which the committee has duly reported to Parliament: Services Australia—Proposed fit-out of existing leased premises at Caroline Chisholm Centre, 57 Athllon Drive, Greenway, Australian Capital Territory.

Services Australia is proposing works to fit out its existing premises at the Caroline Chisholm Centre, 57 Athllon Drive, Greenway, ACT. The works form part of a project that will consolidate three of Services Australia's Tuggeranong sites into one by 2027 and deliver operational and financial efficiencies. The estimated cost of the works is $144.49 million, excluding GST. The proposed works were referred to the Public Works Committee on 6 November 2024. Following its inquiry, the committee recommended that the House of Representatives resolve that it is expedient to carry out the proposed works. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to commence in August 2025 and be completed in August 2027. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee, ably chaired by the member for Moreton, for undertaking a timely inquiry. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.

I move:

That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, it is expedient to carry out the following proposed work which was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and on which the committee has duly reported to Parliament: Services Australia—Proposed fit-out of new leased premises at 158-186 Walker Street, Townsville, Queensland.

Services Australia is proposing works to fit out new leased premises at 158-186 Walker Street, Townsville, Queensland. The fit-out is part of a project to consolidate Services Australia's two Townsville corporate office sites, located in Aitkenvale and at 235-259 Stanley Street, into a single building. The estimated cost of the works is $29.16 million, excluding GST. The proposed works were referred to the Public Works Committee on 6 November 2024. Following its inquiry, the committee recommended that the House of Representatives resolve that it is expedient to carry out the proposed works. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to commence in early 2025 for completion in late 2027. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee, ably chaired by that great Queenslander the member for Moreton, for undertaking a timely inquiry. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.

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