Mike Kelly (Eden-Monaro, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Refurbishment of staff apartments—Australian Embassy complex, Tokyo, Japan.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade proposes to refurbish 43 staff apartments at the Australian Embassy complex in Tokyo, Japan. This proposal was referred to the Public Works Committee on 21 June 2007, but the reference lapsed when the previous committee ceased to exist with the prorogation of parliament on 15 October 2007.

The Australian government built the existing embassy complex and has occupied it since 1990. The complex comprises the chancery, apartments and recreational facilities. The proposal is to undertake internal refurbishment of all 43 staff apartments. The works will include upgrading building services. They will ensure compliance with current standards and building codes and enhanced amenity for tenants, as well as protecting the government’s long-term commercial investment and rental value in the property. The Australian government owns the embassy complex, which was valued at $258.25 million in 2006. The estimated cost of the proposal is $22 million. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to commence in early 2009, with completion in 2010. 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, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: HMAS Creswell redevelopment, Jervis Bay Territory.

The Department of Defence proposes to undertake a redevelopment of HMAS Creswell, Navy’s premier training institution. This proposal was referred to the Public Works Committee on 31 May 2007, but the reference lapsed when the previous committee ceased to exist with the prorogation of parliament on 15 October 2007. The works now proposed are required to overcome the limitations of current facilities, to provide effective training to Navy officers and sailors to support Navy’s capability. The progression of the project will aid in Navy’s recruitment and retention.

The main components of the project include new and refurbished living-in, office and classroom accommodation and upgraded engineering services. The project will also provide modernised training and physical fitness facilities to support Navy training requirements at HMAS Creswell. The estimated outturn cost of the proposal is $83.6 million plus GST. Subject to parliamentary approval, the works would be commenced in 2008, with the objective of having them completed by 2011. 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, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft facilities, RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory.

The proposal will provide new infrastructure at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory to enable the new airborne early warning and control aircraft to operate effectively from the base. This proposal was referred to the Public Works Committee on 21 June 2007, but the reference lapsed when the previous committee ceased to exist with the prorogation of parliament on 15 October 2007.

This new capability will be an integral part of a layered Australian Defence Force air defence system. The airborne early warning and control capability will enhance surveillance, air defence, fleet support and force coordination operation in defence of Australia’s sovereignty and her national interests. The aircraft will be home based at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales and will use RAAF Base Tindal as a forward operating base. The first aircraft are scheduled for delivery in March 2009. The proposal will provide new taxiways, aprons, shelters, hydrant refuelling and associated infrastructure. The estimated outturn cost of the proposal is $64.2 million plus GST. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to commence in early 2009, with completion in late 2010. 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, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Robertson Barracks redevelopment, Darwin, Northern Territory.

The Department of Defence proposes to undertake a redevelopment of Robertson Barracks, the home of the Army’s 1st Brigade. This proposal was referred to the Public Works Committee on 21 June 2007, but the reference lapsed when the previous committee ceased to exist with the prorogation of parliament on 15 October 2007. The works now proposed are required to meet the requirements of the Australian Army in a complex strategic environment and to meet the requirements of the government’s Hardened and Networked Army initiative and introduction of the Abrams tank fleet. The works consist primarily of extension or replication of existing facilities.

The estimated outturn cost of the proposal is $72.1 million, plus GST. Subject to parliamentary approval, the works would be commenced in early 2009 with the objective of having them completed in 2010. 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, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Hardened and Networked Army (HNA) facilities at Edinburgh Defence precinct, South Australia.

The Hardened and Networked Army initiative, which was approved by government in December 2005, greatly strengthens the Army’s protection, mobility, firepower and communications, allowing operations in more complex, dangerous and uncertain environments. This proposal was referred to the Public Works Committee on 9 August 2007, but the reference lapsed when the previous committee ceased to exist with the prorogation of parliament on 15 October 2007. The initiative will increase options for the government in terms of both the combat weight of the force that can be deployed and the duration that forces can be sustained on operations. As part of this initiative the 7th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, 7RAR, is being reraised as a mechanised infantry battalion. The battalion currently occupies temporary facilities in Darwin but will be based at Edinburgh Defence Precinct, Adelaide, along with supporting artillery, combat engineer and logistics troops.

The Hardened and Networked Army Facilities project at Edinburgh Defence Precinct, at an estimated outturn cost of $623.68 million plus GST, will provide working accommodation and training facilities, urban warfare training facilities, a driver training area, a vehicle wash point and common user facilities for both Army and Air Force, including health, messing, fitness and community facilities. The project will deliver a high-priority defence capability requirement. It will also deliver economic benefits for South Australia and provide a popular posting location for Army personnel. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is planned to commence in mid-2008 and be completed by December 2011. 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, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Land Engineering Agency Test Services relocation, Monegeetta, Victoria.

The Department of Defence proposes the relocation of Land Engineering Agency Test Services from Defence Site Maribyrnong to Monegeetta Proving Ground, Victoria. This proposal was referred to the Public Works Committee on 31 May 2007, but the reference lapsed when the previous committee ceased to exist with the prorogation of parliament on 15 October 2007. The objective of this proposal is to gain advantages from the co-location of Land Engineering Agency Test Services with its existing operations at Monegeetta. The proposed project involves a mixture of refurbished and new facilities, including new supporting infrastructure.

The estimated outturn cost of the proposal is $35.9 million plus GST. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction could commence in late 2008 with completion in 2010. 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, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Multi Role Helicopter facilities.

The Department of Defence proposes to provide a range of helicopter shelters, operational facilities, simulated buildings and maintenance facilities to support the introduction of the multirole helicopter aircraft. This proposal was referred to the Public Works Committee on 16 August 2007, but the reference lapsed when the previous committee ceased to exist with the prorogation of parliament on 15 October 2007. The proposed facilities and infrastructure will be located at RAAF Base Townsville; the Army Aviation Centre at Oakey; Gallipoli Barracks at Enoggera, in Queensland; and HMAS Albatross at Nowra in New South Wales. The project will involve a mix of new facilities, refurbishment and adaptive reuse of existing facilities.

The estimated outturn cost of the proposal is $168.7 million plus GST. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to commence in late 2008 with completion by late 2010. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to