Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, upon notice, on 13 September:

In regard to the Pontville Detention Centre:

(1)   When was the first approval provided prior to building commencing?

(2)   When was the tender for the project granted to Fairbrother?

(3)   When did the building work commence?

(4)   Have any workers been working extended shifts; if so, how long and for how many days (specify each)

(5)   Was any assessment made on the impact on the detainees of activities at the rifle range; if so, what did it disclose; if not, why not.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1)   DIAC provided written project notification to the Parliamentary Works Committee (PWC) on the 11 April 2011. The Department received PWC agreement to the project proceeding on 2 June 2011.

(2)   The tender for the project was granted to Fairbrother on 24 June 2011.

(3)   Site condition reports, surveys and architectural designs commenced on 5 April 2011. Site preparation commenced on 20 June 2011.

(4)   Fairbrother, as the managing contractor, has ensured that labour is managed with the objective of achieving key project milestones within budget on 7 day a week basis for the full duration of the project. This was noted in the tender documents as a Condition of Tender whereby tenderers were required to make all the necessary allowances including working hours to achieve the program.

As a result of this, resource allocation has at all times been managed in accordance with the Industrial Occupational Health & Safety regulations, with emphasis placed on fatigue management and the impact of adverse weather conditions.

(5)   During discussions with Defence regarding the use of the facility it was agreed that the rifle range would not be used because of the close proximity to the centre.

Detainees at the centre have and/or will be notified of the potential noise associated from the use of private pistol club which is located some kilometres away.