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, 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: Midlife engineering services refurbishment of the Australian embassy in Paris, France.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, DFAT, proposes the midlife engineering services refurbishment of the Australian embassy in Paris, France, at an estimated out-turn cost of $28.3 million inclusive of French value added tax. In its report, the Public Works Committee has recommended that these works proceed subject to the recommendations of the committee. DFAT accepts and will implement those recommendations. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is planned to commence in mid-2011 and be completed by mid-2013. On behalf of the government I would like to thank the committee for its support and 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: AIMS tropical marine research facilities—Cape Ferguson and Townsville works.

The Australian Institute of Marine Science, AIMS, proposes to undertake works associated with the AIMS Tropical Marine Research Facilities Project at Cape Ferguson and Townsville at an estimated out-turn cost of $49.5 million exclusive of GST. In its report, the Public Works Committee has recommended that these works proceed. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction will commence in March 2010 and be completed by late 2012. On behalf of the government I would like to thank the committee for its support and I commend the motion to the House.

Peter Lindsay (Herbert, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to support the motion. I pay tribute to Dr Ian Poiner and his team. The Australian Institute of Marine Science lead the world in what they do. It is also interesting that a briefing that they provided to me in relation to their research on climate change was yet another scientifically validated piece of information which made sure that anyone who saw it would not be a climate change sceptic. I just wish more in the Australian community understood that this evidence is available now to everybody.

These new works, particularly the works in the Port of Townsville, are very important for AIMS to do their work. I welcome the dollars that are being proposed here in the parliament and I support this motion.

Question agreed to.

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, 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: Villawood immigration detention facility, Sydney, New South Wales.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship, DIAC, proposes to undertake a major redevelopment of the Villawood immigration detention facility in Sydney at an estimated out-turn cost of $205.37 million inclusive of GST. The Department of Finance and Deregulation, Finance, is to manage the project delivery on behalf of DIAC. In its report, the Public Works Committee recommended that these works proceed subject to the recommendations of the committee. DIAC and Finance acknowledge the recommendations and agree to proceed with the works. DIAC and Finance will liaise with the Public Works Committee regarding the committee’s recommendations. Subject to parliamentary approval and following a detailed design process, construction works are planned to commence in late 2010, with construction to be completed by mid-2014. On behalf of the government I would like to thank the committee for its support and 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: Construction of housing for Defence on Gordon Olive Estate at McDowall, Brisbane, Queensland.

Defence Housing Australia, DHA, proposes the development of a five-hectare infill site in the Brisbane suburb of McDowall, Queensland, at an estimated total out-turn cost of $27.2 million inclusive of GST and land acquisition. In its report, the Public Works Committee has recommended that these works proceed subject to the recommendations of the committee. DHA accepts and will implement those recommendations. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction will commence in May 2010 and will be completed by June 2011. On behalf of the government I would like to thank the committee and 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: Reconstruction of Housing on Larrakeyah Barracks, Darwin, Northern Territory.

On behalf of the Department of Defence, Defence Housing Australia proposes to construct 97 new houses on Larrakeyah Barracks, Darwin, Northern Territory. In its report, the Public Works Committee recommended that these works proceed. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction will commence in August 2010, and the first stage of 69 houses will be completed by December 2011. On behalf of the government I would like to thank the committee for its support and I commend the motion to the House.

Peter Lindsay (Herbert, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was on this particular inquiry and visited Larrakeyah Barracks in Darwin. Two contentious issues arose. One was the demolition of about 60 of the existing houses. The committee was satisfied that in fact those houses could not be recycled as there were too many difficulties in that. They will be recycled in the sense that Defence always uses about 70 per cent of the materials when the houses are demolished—so they will recycle that material—but the houses cannot be recycled. The other issue was the location of the sewage pump station on prime land overlooking Darwin Harbour. The committee was really hopeful that the sewerage pump station could be made less visible or relocated. DHA and their engineers have undertaken to look at that, and I thank them for that. I certainly support this motion to the House today.

Question agreed to.

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, 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: Redevelopment of Tarin Kowt.

The Department of Defence proposes the redevelopment of Tarin Kowt at an estimated out-turn cost of $86.46 million plus GST. In its report, the Public Works Committee has recommended that these works proceed. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction will commence late this year and be completed at by mid-2011. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee for its support and 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: Enhanced land force stage 2 facilities project at Gallipoli barracks, Enoggera, Queensland and other Defence bases and training areas around Australia.

The Department of Defence proposes to undertake the Enhanced Land Force stage 2 facilities project at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera, Queensland and other Defence bases and training areas around Australia at an estimated out-turn cost of $1457.84 million excluding GST. In its report the Public Works Committee has recommended that these works proceed, subject to the recommendations of the committee. The Department of Defence accepts and will implement those recommendations. Subject to parliamentary clearance, the project is scheduled to commence in mid-2010 and be completed by late 2014. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee for its support and I commend the motion to the House.

Peter Lindsay (Herbert, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This was a very interesting inquiry; some amazing facts came out. One of the great things about the Public Works Committee is that you really can make a difference. In relation to residents who live around Gallipoli Barracks at Enoggera, we felt that the traffic issues were not properly addressed. Defence—to their credit—have taken that on, and we will get a good outcome for the community because Defence really likes to work and live in its community and so that will happen.

Another interesting thing that came out was that there were 10 water supply connections to Gallipoli Barracks, many of them unmetered, and Defence was getting free water. The other interesting thing was that in some of the connections water was flowing out of the barracks into the city, and the barracks were supplying water to the Brisbane City Council. I think that is all going to be addressed. These are the sorts of things that come up during inquiries like these.

This is $77 million for Lavarack Barracks in Townsville in addition to the other money for the other bases across the country. This is Enhanced Land Force stage 2. These are very significant additions to Townsville, and I am sure that the member for Solomon would like to know that it maintains Lavarack Barracks as the premier Defence base in Australia. It is the home of the 3rd Brigade, and we are the garrison city of Australia and that is terrific.

I would like to make a special thanks to Brigadier Bill Grice, Director General of the Infrastructure Asset Development Branch. This was his last inquiry and his last project. Bill is such a can-do, hands-on person. He led that division wonderfully. He thinks he is retiring, but I am sure is not. He is going off to the United States but he will be back in a civilian role. Who knows, he may well come back to Defence. I do not think he ever expected to get to Brigadier but he has done it so wonderfully well. He made an observation which was quite remarkable. He said ‘You know, this year I have dealt with almost $2 billion worth of projects for Defence and I have 100 staff.’ He said, ‘Have a look at the DMO, $6 billion each year for 7,000 staff.’ There is probably a very interesting comment there.

Finally, as the last PWC report being dealt with by expediency motion today for the year, might I thank the staff of the PWC under James Catchpole and Siobhan Leyne. They are such highly professional people, such wonderful people in how they run the committee to get this work through the parliament, so we can get all of this money flowing in the Australian economy. Thank you so much to the staff; you are legends.

Question agreed to.