Trevor Evans (Brisbane, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of the Assistant Treasurer, 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: The Department of Health—Proposed fit-out of new leased premises at Fairbairn Business Park, Canberra Airport.

The Department of Health is proposing to fit-out new office accommodation and lab space at Fairbairn business park, Canberra Airport. The laboratory space will be used by the Therapeutic Goods Administration as part of Health and will provide contemporary specialist equipment to support the TGA's work. The office accommodation will be utilised by Health more broadly.

The scope of works will include the office fit-out and integration of services into the base building works. The estimated cost of the works is $60.7 million, comprising $18.6 million for the office building and $42.1 million for the laboratory. The project was referred to the PWC on 1 September 2020. The committee has recommended that the House of Representatives resolve, pursuant to section 18(7) of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, that it is expedient to carry out the project. Subject to parliamentary approval, the works are expected to commence by April 2021, with occupation of the building scheduled for May 2022. On behalf of the government, I'd like to thank the committee for undertaking a timely inquiry. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.

At the request of the Assistant Treasurer, 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: Services Australia—Proposed fit-out of new leased premises at 52-62 King William Street, Adelaide.

Services Australia is proposing to fit out new office accommodation at 52-62 King William Street, Adelaide. Services Australia has assessed there is an ongoing requirement to maintain a presence in the Adelaide region to support the delivery of its business objectives and the government's commitment to service delivery. The new office accommodation will support the consolidation of Services Australia's five Adelaide sites, covering six leases in 2023, in accordance with the Commonwealth leasing strategy. The estimated cost of the works is $53 million, excluding GST. The project was referred to the PWC on 7 October 2020. The committee has recommended that the House of Representatives resolve, pursuant to section 18(7) of the Public Works Committee Act 1969 that it is expedient to carry out the project. Subject to parliamentary approval, the works are expected to commence in April 2021, with occupation of the building by Services Australia scheduled for July 2023. On behalf of the government, I'd like to thanking the committee for undertaking a timely inquiry. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.