Gary Gray (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service and Integrity) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

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:

LAND 17 Phase 1A Infrastructure Project.

The LAND 17 Phase 1A Infrastructure Project, estimated at $46.5 million plus GST, will provide new and refurbished facilities to support the introduction of the M777A2 lightweight towed artillery platform. Facilities to support the introduction of the new artillery platform will be provided at: Gallipoli Barracks and Lavarack Barracks in Queensland; Bridges Barracks and Gaza Ridge Barracks in Victoria; Robertson Barracks in the Northern Territory; and at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia. The project proposes to provide new upgraded working accommodation, gun hangars and gun maintenance workshops. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to begin early in 2012 with completion expected by mid-2013. 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:

Specific Nutritional Capability Project for Defence Science and Technology Organisation at Scottsdale, Tasmania.

The Department of Defence proposes to redevelop the Defence Science and Technology Organisation's nutritional research facility at Scottsdale in Tasmania. The DSTO Scottsdale facility is vital for maintaining the nutritional and health status of Australian troops because it provides food and feeding regimes that enhance performance.

The works will include redevelopment of food technology facilities, upgrades to existing chemistry and nutrition laboratories and improvements to site infrastructure and working areas. The redevelopment will result in a modern food science facility equipped to meet the future nutritional needs of ADF personnel. The estimated out-turned cost of the proposal is $18.7 million plus GST.

In its report, in addition to recommending that the project should proceed, the Public Works Committee has recommended that the Department of Defence provide full and complete details on all options considered for all future proposals. The Department of Defence accepts in principle this recommendation and intends to address the issue by updating internal procedures to ensure further details of options considered during business case development are provided to the committee as part of the statement of evidence. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction will commence in early 2012 and be completed by early 2014. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee for its support and I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.