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, 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 a new Australian Embassy complex including Chancery and Head of Mission Residence in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade proposes to construct a new purpose-built embassy complex, including a chancery and head-of-mission residence, in Bangkok, Thailand, at an estimated cost of $190.8 million. Following the terrorist bomb attack at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta in 2004 and a global review of physical security at Australia's overseas missions, the government approved the relocation of the Bangkok embassy complex on security grounds. The new site will enable appropriate setbacks for the chancery and head-of-mission residence buildings for blast mitigation while the buildings themselves will be designed to mitigate blast.

The Australian government constructed the existing buildings in 1979 for use as a chancery and head-of mission residence. The new development proposal is driven by the imperative to provide more secure accommodation. The new embassy complex will be on leased land adjacent to the Embassy of Japan in the Pathum Wan district of Bangkok, which is in the same general district as the current embassy. As well as providing appropriate physical security, the project will deliver a modern, functional chancery building to accommodate tenant agencies as well as provision of a new official residence for the ambassador, family members and high-level visitors.

As a major overseas mission, the Bangkok embassy is significant in representational terms and also acts as a hub for other Australian missions in the region. The new facilities will be capable of catering for the large range of representational functions that will be undertaken at the chancery. Through the use of public spaces, conference rooms and outdoor areas as well as the official representational areas of the head-of-mission residence, the buildings will accommodate events such as official receptions, exhibitions and trade displays, meetings, lectures and business missions.

In its report, the Public Works Committee recommended that these works should proceed, subject to the recommendations of the committee. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade accepts and will implement those recommendations. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction of the major works package could commence in October 2013, with practical completion in late March 2016, followed by security and furniture fit-out. Occupation of the complex is scheduled for around June 2016.

On behalf of the government, I thank the committee for its support. 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: HMAS Albatross redevelopment, Nowra, NSW.

HMAS Albatross is the centre of the Royal Australian Navy's maritime aviation capability, supporting the operations of one training helicopter squadron and two operational helicopter squadrons. This proposal, at an estimated cost of $192 million, plus GST, will upgrade and replace ageing, obsolete and in some cases potentially unsafe infrastructure to improve the functionality and capability of the facilities at HMAS Albatross to support Navy's training and operational requirements.

The proposal will provide:

(a) comprehensive engineering services upgrades;

(b) new and refurbished working accommodation;

(c) a new hot refuelling capability;

(d) works to provide increased future airside development space; and

(e) demolition of redundant facilities of HMAS Albatross

The capital invested in the project will have economic benefits for the Shoalhaven region and local industry, with significant opportunities for subcontractors and the construction industry over the next three years.

In its report the Public Works Committee has recommended that these works proceed. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to begin next year, with completion expected in mid-2015. 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.

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: 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 RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia. The project proposes to provide new and upgraded working accommodation, gun hangars and gun maintenance workshops.

In its report, the Public Works Committee has recommended that these works proceed. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to begin in early 2012 with completion expected by mid-2013.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.

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: RAAF Base East Sale redevelopment, Sale, Victoria.

RAAF Base East Sale is the primary officer training base for the RAAF and is also a main operating air base, providing continuous support to two operational squadrons, visiting operational squadrons, minor exercises and operations, and contracted search and rescue operations. The RAAF base redevelopment project, estimated at $185.6 million, plus GST, proposes to improve the functionality and capability of the base by upgrading or replacing inadequate and non-compliant facilities, infrastructure and engineering services to meet current and anticipated future requirements. The proposal will provide:

(a) major engineering services upgrades;

(b) new and refurbished working accommodation;

(c) new and refurbished training and maintenance facilities;

(d) security upgrades;

(e) a new air traffic control complex;

(f) new commercial, community and chapel facilities;

(g) a new firing range;

(h) new living-in accommodation; and

(i) demolition of redundant facilities at RAAF Base East Sale.

The capital investment in the project will have economic benefits for the Victorian region and the local industry, with significant opportunities for subcontractors and the construction industry over the next three years.

In its report, the Public Works Committee has recommended that these works proceed. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is scheduled to commence in late 2012 and is planned to be completed by mid to late 2015. 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.