Jim Lloyd (Robertson, Liberal Party, Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That, in accordance with section 5 of the Parliament Act 1974, the House approves the following proposal for work in the Parliamentary Zone which was presented to the House on 18 June 2007, namely: National Gallery of Australia southern extension.

The National Gallery of Australia is proposing to construct a new southern entrance and Indigenous Australian galleries which will significantly improve the visitor experience and the display and management of the national collection of artworks. The proposed addition has been designed to complement the existing building. The proposed works were referred by the Gallery under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to the Department of the Environment and Water Resources. On 27 April 2007 the Department of the Environment and Water Resources determined that the proposal was not a controlled action and that no further approval was required under the EPBC Act.

The Gallery has confirmed that it has fulfilled its obligations under the Copyright Amendments (Moral Rights) Act 2002. The site for the proposed works is within the designated area of the National Capital Plan and is within the Parliamentary Zone. As such, works approval is required from both houses of parliament pursuant to section 5(1) of the Parliament Act 1974 and separately from the National Capital Authority pursuant to section 12(1)(b) of the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988. The National Capital Authority has considered the proposal and is prepared to grant works approval. Parliamentary approval is sought for the works to construct the new southern extension of the National Gallery of Australia.

Question agreed to.