Alex Hawke (Mitchell, Liberal Party, Special Minister of State) 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: CSIRO Myall Vale New Cotton Breeding Research facilities project.

As advised when this project was referred to the Public Works Committee on 16 August 2018, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation is proposing to build a new cotton-processing facility, a laboratory research facility, and a plant and equipment workshop at its existing Myall Vale site in New South Wales. The proposed works will assist the Australian cotton industry to remain ahead of overseas competitors in terms of yield, fibre, quality and resource-use efficiency. It will resolve work health and safety issues, increase productivity and allow the CSIRO to undertake research to assist the Australian agricultural industry to be sustainable, productive and profitable. The project will employ a diverse, skilled range of consultants, contractors and construction workers. It will also provide economic opportunities for the local area through construction contracts. The estimated cost to deliver the project is some $18 million, excluding GST. The committee has conducted an inquiry and considers the project to be value for money for the Commonwealth, fit for purpose and expedient to carry out. On behalf of the government I would like to thank the committee for once again undertaking a timely inquiry. Subject to parliamentary approval of the proposed works, construction is planned to commence in mid-2019 and be completed by early 2021. 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: Defence High Performance Computing Centre.

As advised when the project was referred to the Public Works Committee on 13 September 2018, the Department of Defence is proposing to construct a new fit-for-purpose, high-performance computing centre in the Defence Science and Technology Group precinct at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia. The proposed works will provide the Defence Science and Technology Group in the Australian Defence Organisation with a secure capability for high-fidelity modelling and simulation that it currently does not have. The Defence Science and Technology Group is the Australian government's lead agency responsible for applying science and technology to safeguard Australia and deliver support to the Australian Defence Force on operations, sustainment, improvement to current capability and development of new and emerging capability. The committee has conducted an inquiry and considers the project to be value for money for the Commonwealth, fit for purpose and expedient to carry out. On behalf of the government, I want to thank the committee for once again undertaking a timely inquiry. Subject to parliamentary approval of the project, construction is expected to commence in 2019 and be completed by mid-2020. 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: LAND 200 Tranche 2 Battlefield Communications Systems facilities project.

As advised when the project was referred to the Public Works Committee on 23 August 2018, the Department of Defence is proposing to construct and refurbish facilities to support the training requirements for the battle management systems being introduced under the Land 200 tranche 2 capability, which will modernise the command and control of the Joint Land Force. The 2016 Defence white paper identifies the importance of providing Defence with enhanced situational awareness and decision-making superiority. This project will ensure that the land force can achieve these functions by providing the soldier, the heart of land force capability, with a leading-edge digital communications capability. This project will enable the land force to achieve an unparalleled level of networking across the battle space. The project will employ a diverse range of skilled consultants, contractors and construction workers and provide opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises throughout the construction trade packages. The estimated cost of the project is $24.3 million, excluding GST.

The committee has conducted an inquiry. It considers the project to be value for money for the Commonwealth, fit for purpose and expedient to carry out. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee for once again undertaking a timely inquiry. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to commence mid-2019 and be completed by late 2019.

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: LAND 4502 Phase 1 Additional CH-47F Chinook facilities project.

As advised when the project was referred to the Public Works Committee on 23 August 2018, the Department of Defence is proposing to construct and refurbish shelters and supporting infrastructure for three additional CH-47F Chinook helicopters and the associated increase in staff for the 5th Aviation Regiment at the RAAF Base Townsville, Queensland.

The 2016 Defence white paper noted the government's intention to increase the ADF's airlift capability, including the acquisition of the helicopters. The project expects to generate short-term employment opportunities, predominantly in the building construction and unskilled labour markets in the Townsville region. It is expected that around 50 personnel will be directly employed.

The project is also anticipated to provide potential economic benefits to the local region through the procurement of construction materials. The estimated cost to deliver the project is $49.9 million, excluding GST. This includes management and design fees, construction costs, information and communications technology, furniture, fittings, equipment, contingencies and a provision for escalation.

The committee has conducted an inquiry and considers the project to be value for money, fit for purpose and expedient to carry out. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee for again undertaking a timely inquiry. Subject to parliamentary approval of the works, the plan is to commence construction from early 2019 and be completed in late 2020. 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: Naval Guided Weapons Maintenance Facilities project.

As advised when the project was referred to the Public Works Committee on 16 August 2018, the Department of Defence is proposing to construct a purpose-built integrated weapons facility to increase the maintenance capability and alleviate constraints within the Naval Guided Weapons Sustainment System, a Defence establishment at Orchard Hills, located near Penrith in New South Wales.

The 2016 Defence white paper reinforced the necessity for guided weapons maintenance, stating that Defence must maintain a technological edge, while simplifying maintenance of equipment. The project will employ a diverse range of skilled consultants, contractors and construction workers. The project is also anticipated to provide potential economic benefits to the local region through the procurement of construction materials and labour. The estimated cost of the project is $95.5 million, excluding GST.

The committee has conducted an inquiry and considers the project to be value for money for the Commonwealth, fit for purpose and expedient for the parliament to carry out. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee for once again undertaking the inquiry. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to commence in early 2019 and be completed by mid-2020. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.