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: Construction of a new Australian embassy complex including chancery, Head of Mission residence, staff housing and recreational facilities in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade proposes to construct a new Australian embassy complex including chancery, head of mission residence, staff housing and recreational facilities in Jakarta, Indonesia, as an estimated out-turn cost of $415.1 million exclusive of GST.

On 9 September 2004, the current Australian mission was subjected to a terrorist attack, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device was detonated outside the main entry guard station, killing 11 people. Rectification and new physical security works were urgently undertaken to the mission in the aftermath of the attack in order to provide staff and visitors with increased protection.

The government approved the relocation of the Jakarta mission on security grounds. The new site will enable appropriate setbacks to the buildings for blast mitigation, while the buildings themselves will be designed to resist blast. While the new development is driven by the imperative to provide more secure accommodation, a rapid and large increase of staff in the Jakarta mission over recent years has resulted in the chancery being seriously overcrowded and dysfunctional. The development will provide efficient, modern and secure facilities for 14 Commonwealth agencies represented in Jakarta. The chancery will also provide space and facilities for official functions, exhibitions, meetings, lectures and business missions.

Subject to parliamentary approval an early works construction package, if applicable, could commence in late 2010, with the main works likely to commence before mid-2011. Practical completion of construction followed by occupation of the premises would be achieved in late 2014. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.