Bruce Billson (Dunkley, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Special Minister of State, I move:

That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969 , the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Proposed extension and accommodation upgrade to the existing Chancery of the Australian Embassy in Beijing, China.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade proposes to construct an extension to the Australian chancery in Beijing, China, and to upgrade chancery accommodation and services at an estimated cost of $21.61 million. The Australian government has occupied the existing chancery since 1992. As a result of significantly increased representation by the Australian government in China, the chancery no longer meets present-day requirements, including space availability, efficiency, and building and workplace codes.

This proposal meets the government’s preference to provide a consolidated and secure facility for the full range of Australian representational agencies in Beijing. The Australian government owns the chancery in Beijing, located on property that is leased under a reciprocal arrangement with the Chinese government. The newly upgraded chancery will provide fully for the embassy’s functional and security requirements into the future. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction will begin in September 2008 with practical completion and occupation scheduled for October 2010. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.