Mike Kelly (Eden-Monaro, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support) Share this | Link to 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: Construction of the Australian Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo 2010, China.

On 29 June 2006 the then Prime Minister, the Hon. John Howard MP, announced that Australia would participate in the Shanghai World Expo 2010. This will be the first major world exposition since Aichi, Japan in 2005 and will take place between 1 May and 31 October 2010.

In addition to the $61 million being provided through the budget, the government will seek an estimated $22 million in funding through corporate sponsorships and partnerships with the states and territories. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has portfolio responsibility for this project and will manage Australia’s presence at the expo. In terms of potential to assist Australian business and raise Australia’s profile in a strategic market, this expo represents a unique opportunity, eclipsing in scale any previous expo, including Aichi. It is therefore essential that Australia’s presence at the expo be commensurate with our economic and strategic interests in China.

The proposal is to construct a new temporary pavilion with appropriate public exhibition areas and capacity to host VIP, business and cultural programs that make up the Australian participation at the expo. The design process created a concept for a well-designed purpose built pavilion that will showcase Australia to the Chinese public, compares favourably to our market countries and provides a platform for helping Australian business succeed in the China market.

In its report, the Public Works Committee has recommended that these works proceed. Subject to parliamentary approval, a single contract will be awarded for the construction, exhibition, production and technical operation of the pavilion. A contract will need to be signed by mid-September 2008 to maximise prospects for commencing Chinese design approval processes and construction this calendar year. The construction program requires the base building to be complete and dustproof in the technical areas by mid-September 2009. Practical completion and occupation is scheduled for 1 March 2007, with commencement of the expo on 1 May 2001.

The estimated cost of the proposed works, inclusive of GST, is $49.38 million and includes construction and other related elements such as architecture, consultant fees, project management, supervision, exhibition, furniture, artworks, whitegoods and site office expenses. On behalf of the government, I thank the committee for its support and 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: Fit-out of new leased premises for the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations at Block 9, Section 31, Canberra City.

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations proposes to undertake a fit-out, at a cost of $66.6 million plus GST, of new leased premises at block 9, section 31, Canberra City in the Australian Capital Territory. The national office of the department is located in the Canberra CBD and at the Canberra airport in leases across 21 separate buildings, with a total lettable area of approximately 97,000 square metres. With the exception of the airport properties, most of the accommodation is in buildings which are over 15 years old and require major refurbishment to meet Commonwealth standards. The new building will be constructed on the 4,801 square metre site of the former QEII nursing mothers’ hospital and is part of the rapidly changing City West area. The development will provide approximately 40,000 square metres of high-quality office space, 500 square metres of storage space, 418 secure basement car parks and ground level bicycle parking for 175 bikes.

Subject to parliamentary approval and the satisfactory pricing of the tender trade packages, the integration of the fit-out is the department’s preferred option. Under this arrangement, the fit-out will be undertaken concurrently with the base building construction, which commenced in February 2008 and is scheduled for practical completion in June 2010. Occupancy is expected to occur in mid-2010. Current leases have been structured to expire no earlier than mid-2010, to avoid the risk of penalties associated with short-term holding leases. In its report, the Public Works Committee recommended that these works proceed. On behalf of the government, I thank the committee for its support and 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: Bridging of Kings Avenue over Parkes Way at the Russell roundabout, Canberra.

The National Capital Authority, NCA, has been appropriated funding of $26.6 million over four years to undertake the bridging of Kings Avenue over Parkes Way at the Russell roundabout, Canberra, ACT. Parkes Way will be lowered and a new bridge will carry Kings Avenue traffic over Parkes Way to the Russell Defence precinct. This work will also reinforce Kings Avenue as one side of Walter Burley Griffin’s national triangle. This project will remove one of the worst traffic bottlenecks in Canberra. The new intersection where Kings Avenue passes over Parkes Way will allow traffic movements in all directions and provide safe pedestrian access from the Russell Defence precinct to Kings Park and the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. The bridging of Kings Avenue over Parkes Way will provide improved, more reliable and more readily-secured transport links between Canberra City, Parliament House and the airport.

The estimated cost of the proposal is $26.6 million plus GST. In its report, the Public Works Committee has recommended that these works proceed. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to commence late this year, with completion in 2010. On behalf of the government, I thank the committee for its support and 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: Construction of new warehousing facilities at Wadsworth Barracks, East Bandiana.

The Department of Defence proposes to undertake the construction of new warehousing facilities, at an estimated out-turned cost of $36.369 million plus GST, at Wadsworth Barracks, East Bandiana, Victoria. The project will provide modern, purpose built facilities to enhance operational capability and will provide efficient logistical and warehousing support to Defence. The project consists of the construction of a new purpose built support warehouse, a dedicated area for freight distribution and the demolition of redundant buildings. The project will also include upgrade works to address occupational health and safety issues and operational inefficiencies associated with the existing facilities.

In its report, the Public Works Committee has recommended that these works proceed subject to the recommendations of the committee. The Department of Defence accepts and will implement those recommendations. Subject to parliamentary approval, the works will commence early next year and be completed in 2010. On behalf of the government, I thank committee for its support and I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.