Andrew Leigh (Fenner, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury) 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: Department of Defence—Facilities to support Advanced Growler Phase 6.

The Department of Defence is proposing works to deliver upgrades to Australia's airborne electronic attack capability, including ongoing advances to the EA-18G Growler aircraft to ensure they remain interoperable with those operated by the United States Navy. The proposed works will provide new and upgraded maintenance, logistics and storage facilities at RAAF Base Amberley in Queensland and the Delamere Air Weapons Range in the Northern Territory, and new specialised training facilities at Amberley. The total estimated cost of the works is $228.2 million, excluding GST.

The proposed works were referred to the Public Works Committee on 7 February 2024. Following its inquiry the committee made two recommendations: first, that Defence report back to the PwC with the source location of the steel that will be used in the proposed works once identified; and, second, that the House of Representatives resolve that it is expedient to carry out the proposed works.

The issue of the source location of the steel was raised by the member for Makin in the public hearings. In response, Defence said:

I can assure you that the share of Australian industry content in this project will be very high.

A Defence official went on to say:

As part of those Commonwealth Procurement Rules, there is guidance in terms of expectations of the Commonwealth for material supply as part of that, and, therefore, the expectation would be that it would be Australian supplied steel that's delivered as part of this project.

Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to commence in early to mid-2025 for completion in late 2026. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee, ably led by the member for Moreton, for undertaking a timely inquiry. 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: Parks Australia—Mutitjulu essential services project.

Parks Australia is proposing to undertake essential services upgrade works within the township of Mutitjulu, which is located within the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in the Northern Territory. The scope of works will include the replacement of essential power, water and sewerage systems across the township. The estimated total cost of the project is $91.87 million, excluding GST. The proposed works were referred to the Public Works Committee on 27 February 2024. Following its inquiry, the committee recommended that the House of Representatives resolve that it is expedient to carry out the proposed works. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to commence in late 2024 with completion in late 2026. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee, ably led by the member for Moreton, for conducting a timely inquiry. 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: Department of Veterans' Affairs—Proposed fit-out of new leased premises at 18 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra.

The Department of Veterans' Affairs is proposing works to fit out its new national office at 18 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra City. The department expects to relocate to the new office at the expiry of the lease over its current premises in May 2025. The estimated total cost of the works is $29.6 million, excluding GST. The proposed works were referred to the Public Works Committee on 27 March 2024. Following its inquiry, the committee recommended that the House of Representatives resolve that it is expedient to carry out the proposed works. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to commence in August 2024 with completion in April 2025. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee, ably led by the member for Moreton, for undertaking a timely inquiry. 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: Department of Finance—Proposed Fit-out of New Commonwealth Parliament Offices, Perth, Western Australia.

The Department of Finance is proposing works to fit out the new Commonwealth parliament offices located at One The Esplanade, Elizabeth Quay, Perth. The proposed works will provide fit-for-purpose, safe and secure accommodation for ministers, parliamentarians and their staff, together with accommodation for administrative support staff of the Department of Finance. The total budget forecast is $38.2 million, GST exclusive. The proposed works were referred to the Public Works Committee on 27 February 2024. Following its inquiry, the committee recommended that the House of Representatives resolve that it is expedient to carry out the proposed works. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to commence in mid-2024 for completion by February 2025.

On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee, ably led by the member for Moreton, for undertaking a timely inquiry. 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: the Department of Defence—Albury Wodonga Military Area Redevelopment project.

The Department of Defence is proposing works to the Albury Wodonga Military Area to support career, technical, logistics and trades training of the Australian Defence Force. The proposed works include the upgrade and replacement of site-wide infrastructure, live-in accommodation, messing, training facilities and the demolition of redundant facilities.

The estimated total cost of the project is $395.7 million, excluding GST. The proposed works were referred to the Public Works Committee on 27 March 2024. Following its inquiry, the committee recommended that the House of Representatives resolve that it is expedient to carry out the proposed works. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to commence in late 2024 and be complete by mid-2030.

On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee, ably chaired by the member for Moreton, for undertaking a timely enquiry. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.

I move:

That in accordance with 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: Department of Defence—RAAF Base Wagga Redevelopment project.

The Department of Defence is proposing works at RAAF Base Wagga to support recruitment, technical, logistics and trades training of the Australian Defence Force. The proposed works include the upgrade and replacement of site-wide infrastructure, live-in and working accommodation, messing, training facilities, health and wellbeing and logistics facilities and the demolition of redundant facilities.

The estimated total capital cost of the project is $590 million, excluding GST. The proposed works were referred to the Public Works Committee on 27 March 2024. Following its inquiry, the committee recommended that the House of Representatives resolve that it is expedient to carry out the proposed works. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to commence in late 2024 and be complete by mid-2031.

On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee, ably chaired by the member for Moreton, for undertaking a timely inquiry. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.