Angus Taylor (Hume, Liberal Party, Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Minister for the Public Service, 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: Department of Health—Fit-out of existing premises, Sirius Building, Woden, ACT.

The Department of Health is proposing to undertake a fit-out of works at the Sirius Building in Woden in the ACT. The proposed works will enable Health to relocate staff from its other Woden tenancy, Scarborough House, into the Sirius Building prior to the lease expiring in 2025. The updated fit-out will also cater for a range of operating models and enable Health to meet the whole-of-government occupational density target of 14 square metres. The total estimated cost of the project is $64.3 million, excluding GST.

The works must be referred to, considered by, and reported on to both houses of parliament by the Public Works Committee before work may commence. The project was referred to the committee on 21 October 2021. The committee has recommended that the House of Representatives resolve, pursuant to section 18(7) of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, that it is expedient to carry out the project. Subject to parliamentary approval, the works are expected to commence in March 2022 with completion by March 2025. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee for undertaking a timely inquiry, and I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.