Tony Zappia (Makin, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, I present the committee's report Report 3/2026—referrals made in November 2025.

Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e).

by leave—Again, on behalf of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, I present the committee's third report for 2026 and the fifth for the 48th parliament. This report considers the following four proposed works: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority—Great Barrier Reef Aquarium Redevelopment project, for an estimated budget of $161.1 million; Department of Defence—9 Molonglo Drive project, Brindabella Park, Australian Capital Territory, for an estimated budget of $103.9 million; Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade—Refurbishment of Australian High Commission Staff Residential Compound, Konedobu, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, for an estimated budget of $37.3 million; and Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts—Proposed Fit-out of New Leased Premises at One City Hill, Canberra City, for an estimated budget of $46.4 million.

In considering these proposed works, the committee received submissions, held private briefings and conducted public and in camera hearings with relevant government officials and other interested parties. Additionally, the committee travelled to Townsville to visit the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium to see first-hand the condition of the site and also went to the Australian Institute of Marine Science to see some of the aquarium's marine life that are temporarily stored at the institute. After giving due consideration to the evidence that the committee received, the committee is recommending that it is expedient for all of the proposed works to proceed.

The committee sees merit in all of the proposals. Not only is the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium vital for the continuing economic prosperity of Townsville; it also plays an essential public education role in the unique marine ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef and allows people to experience the reef without getting wet. The proposed works will allow the marine park authority to continue to offer a world-class aquarium experience for domestic and international tourists and maintain a central place in reef education and research. The works proposed by the Department of Defence at Brindabella Park will allow Defence to consolidate its four existing leases in the area into one while reducing its total leased area and upgrading the fit-out to ensure compliance with modern standards and Defence security requirements. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's proposed refurbishment of the residential compound at the High Commission in Port Moresby will provide the first major upgrade to the facility since coming into service 30 years ago. The works will see 39 residences undergo internal refurbishment to address risks to staff wellbeing and rising costs associated with routine maintenance, thereby extending the life of the facility by at least 20 years. Finally, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts's proposed fit-out of newly leased office accommodation at One City Hill represents stage 2 of the department's precinct model. The committee recommended expediency for stage 1 of the move late last year. The department's precinct model will allow it to reduce its net lettable area of office space in Canberra by 40 per cent. The proposed works will enable the department to vacate its current lease at the Nishi Building and relocate to new premises at One City Hill.

I thank all the members of the committee who participated in the inquiry, and I particularly thank the secretariat for their background work, which certainly assisted the committee in coming to its recommendations. I commend the report to the House.

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