Gary Gray (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service and Integrity) 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:

New forensic facility at Majura, ACT.

The Australian Federal Police proposes the construction of a new purpose-built facility at its Majura complex in the Australian Capital Territory. The forensic science and technical intelligence capability of the Australian Federal police is provided by the Forensic and Data Centres portfolio, which comprises a large number of specialist forensics services as well as the Australian Bomb Data Centre and the Australian Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Data Centre. This capability is integral to the successful investigation and prosecution of all crime types and contributes to national security and regional capability development outcomes. This capability is currently located in a leased facility at Weston in the Australian Capital Territory which no longer provides the necessary accommodation to support Australian Federal Police forensic and technical intelligence activities and requirements. The estimated out-turn cost of the proposal is $106 million plus GST. In its report, the Public Works Committee has recommended that these works proceed. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction will commence in late-2013 and be completed by mid-2015. 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.