Andrew Leigh (Fenner, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury) Share 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: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation—Black Mountain Greenhouse Redevelopment.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation seeks approval from the parliament to replace critical greenhouse infrastructure at Black Mountain in the ACT that was damaged during a hailstorm in January 2020. The project will provide new and refurbished greenhouses with supporting facilities to replace the greenhouse infrastructure and capability damaged by the hailstorm. The new facilities will support the organisation to undertake research and development for government and industry across agriculture, biodiversity, environment and biosecurity. The estimated total cost of the works is $37.9 million, excluding GST.

The proposed works were referred to the Public Works Committee on 2 September 2025. 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 April 2026 and be completed by August 2028.

On behalf of the government I would like to thank the committee, ably chaired by the member for Makin, 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: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation—Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness—Stage 1 Part Life Refit.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation seeks approval from the parliament to undertake the first stage of the proposed part-life refit at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness at Geelong, Victoria. The refurbishment will be delivered in two stages. Stage 1 will provide a new high-containment laboratory wing containing three main laboratory suites with a connection into the existing building via an accessway, part replacement of high-risk equipment, external services and enabling works. Stage 2 will be the subject of a separate Parliamentary Works Committee referral. The estimated total cost of stage 1 works is $372.2 million excluding GST.

The proposed works were referred to the Public Works Committee on 2 September 2025. 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 2026 and be completed by late 2028.

On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee, ably chaired by the member for Makin, 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: Australian Taxation Office—Proposed Fit-out of Leased Premises, Levels 5 to 10, 152 Wharf Street, Brisbane.

The ATO seeks approval from the parliament to fit out levels 5 to 10 of their existing leased premises at the Wharf Street, Brisbane site. The estimated total cost of the works is $29.2 million excluding GST. The proposed works were referred to the Public Works Committee on 2 September 2025. 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, work will commence in June 2026 for practical completion in November 2026.

The committee also recommended that the ATO continue to enhance and refine their change management practices, ensuring that it incorporates robust staff consultation procedures for the design and delivery stages of proposed works to effectively capture all affected staff. The ATO has accepted this recommendation and advised that the committee's recommendation will be reflected in subsequent ATO public works proposals that are referred to the committee.

On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee, ably chaired by the member for Makin, 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: Services Australia—Proposed Fit-out of Leased Premises at 90 Crown Street, Wollongong, New South Wales.

Services Australia seeks parliamentary approval to proceed with the proposed fit-out of leased premises at 90 Crown Street, Wollongong, New South Wales. The works seek to provide fit-for-purpose office space and consolidate the non-customer-facing staff in the Illawarra region into one site by 2027. The estimated total cost of the proposed works is $22.34 million, excluding GST. The project was referred to the public works committee on 2 September 2025. 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 March 2026 and be completed by February 2027. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee, ably chaired by the member for Makin, 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: Attorney-General's Department—Proposed Fit-out of Existing Leased Premises at 3-5 National Circuit, Barton, Australian Capital Territory.

The Attorney-General's Department seeks approval from the parliament to fit out existing leased premises at 3-5 National Circuit, Barton, ACT. The project will enable the department to consolidate from three buildings into one building in Canberra and reduce its leased space in Canberra by 6,817 square metres, or by 26 per cent. The estimated total cost of the proposed works is $39.93 million, excluding GST. The project was referred to the public works committee on 8 October 2025, and, 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 June 2026 and be completed by December 2027. The committee also recommended that the department exercise its two lease-renewal options at the expiration of its current lease on 3-5 National Circuit in 2036 to maximise value for money to the Commonwealth of the proposed works unless significant considerations prevent such an extension. The department has noted this recommendation and advised that it will consider exercising lease renewal options in the context of planning for the 2036 expiry of the department's current lease. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee, ably chaired by the member for Makin, 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 Home Affairs—Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre Hawk Compound Redevelopment.

The Department of Home Affairs seeks approval from the parliament for upgrade works at the Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre, located at Northam, approximately 90 kilometres north-east of the Perth central business district. The estimated cost of the works is $34.95 million, excluding GST. The project was referred to the public works committee on 2 September 2025, and, 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-2026 and be completed by March 2027.

The committee also recommended that the department ensure that current staff involved in the day-to-day operations of the Yongah Hill Immigration Detention Centre are consulted on the proposed works and are provided an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed design. The committee further recommended that the department include a full accounting of its staff consultation processes for the proposed works in the post-implementation report of the project. The department has advised that it notes the committee's recommendations and will provide full information about the staff consultation processes for the proposed works in the post-implementation report of the project.

On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee, ably chaired by the member for Makin, for undertaking a timely inquiry and for its consistent focus on the inclusion of the voices of public servants in Public Works Committee approvals. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.

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