House debates

Thursday, 13 September 2007

Committees

Public Works Committee; Approval of Work

9:32 am

Photo of Peter LindsayPeter Lindsay (Herbert, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence) Share this | | Hansard source

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: Fit-out of new leased premises for the Australian Customs Service, Brisbane, Queensland.

The Australian Customs Service is seeking to relocate from its existing Brisbane headquarters building shortly before the end of its current lease that expires on 30 June 2009. The Australian Customs Service proposes to undertake a fit-out, at a cost of $15.84 million, inclusive of GST, of new leased premises at The Circuit, Brisbane Airport, Queensland. In its report, the Public Works Committee has recommended that the proposed works should proceed. Subject to parliamentary approval, the building is planned to commence in October 2007 with completion in December 2008. The fit-out procurement process could begin during the period September to November 2008. The Australian Customs Service anticipates occupying the building from January 2009 to complete the fit-out and will then occupy the building progressively from May 2009.

I would like to thank my DLO, Kris Mitchell, for her help in preparing this and speeding this through the parliament and, on behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee for its support. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.