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—Submarine Rotational Force-West, Priority Works, HMAS Stirling, Western Australia.

The Department of Defence is proposing to deliver maritime infrastructure, new and upgraded facilities and infrastructure at HMAS Stirling, Western Australia, which will require a regulatory framework to accommodate the operational, maintenance and sustainment functions required by Submarine Rotational Force-West. The cost of the project elements is $738.1 million, excluding GST.

The project was referred to the Public Works Committee on 6 June 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 early 2025 for completion in 2027. 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.

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 at One Festival Tower, Adelaide.

The Department of Finance is proposing works to fit out new Commonwealth parliament offices to be located at One Festival Tower, Adelaide. The total budget forecast for the project is $37.45 million, GST exclusive, and the works will be funded from the special appropriation to the Parliamentary Business Resources Act 2017. The project was referred to the Public Works Committee on 15 May 2024. Following its inquiry, the committee recommended that the House of Representatives resolve that it is expedient to carry out the proposed works. The committee also recommended that the Department of Finance consult with the Australian Federal Police immediately regarding the security aspects of the fit-out design for the proposed works and at a much earlier stage for any Commonwealth parliament office fit-out works in the future. The government thanks the committee for this advice.

The Department of Finance has since included the Australian Federal Police as a member of the Commonwealth Parliament Offices Steering Committee, which is responsible for overall project governance. The Australian Federal Police has also been invited to participate in the scheduled design workshops, allowing for consultation and input into the fit-out design for the Adelaide Commonwealth parliament offices. The Australian Federal Police will be included in any future Commonwealth parliament office fit-out works as recommended by the committee. Subject to parliamentary approval, the works are expected to commence in January 2025 and be completed in July 2025. 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.

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: Reserve Bank of Australia—Head Office Storage and Logistics Change.

The Reserve Bank of Australia is proposing a fit-out project of an existing leased facility to provide temporary, secure, off-site storage and logistics functions while refurbishment of the bank's head office at 65 Martin Place Sydney is underway. The estimated cost of the project is $35.3 million, GST exclusive, to be funded by the bank from within existing resources.

The project was referred to the Public Works Committee on 1 July 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, the fit-out is expected to commence in mid-2025, with practical completion in mid-2026. 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.