Jordon Steele-John (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) there is a tremendous amount of public opposition to the redevelopment of the Australian War Memorial, both within the Australian Capital Territory community and across the country, as evidenced by the record number of 601 submissions, of which only 3 supported the redevelopment proposal as it is,

(ii) the National Capital Authority has not sufficiently addressed public concern around the destruction of ANZAC Hall, removal of native trees and excavation works in their approval,

(iii) the early works program as proposed is so extensive as to make the full project a foregone conclusion, and

(iv) the approval is subject to appeal and there is a significant possibility that it will be appealed; and

(b) calls on the Federal Government to request that the Australian War Memorial not commence any works until all appeals processes are concluded.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The National Capital Authority consideration of the Australian War Memorial development was one of several processes that independently considered the project. The Public Works Committee also considered the need, scope, cost, purpose and value for money of the proposed works and the parliament agreed to the expediency motion to carry out the project in February 2021. Heritage aspects were assessed in accordance with the EPBC Act. Following this, the proposal was approved, with conditions, in December of last year. The NCA considered all issues raised and concluded that the proposal is not inconsistent with the National Capital Plan.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that motion No. 1126 be agreed to.

A division having been called and the bells being rung—

An incident having occurred in the chamber—

Does someone want to attend to that? We don't answer phones in the chamber. They're let in as a courtesy if they're kept on silent.