Andrew Leigh (Fenner, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury) 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: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade—Proposed Construction and Decommissioning of the Australian Pavilion at the World Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.

As part of Australia's participation in the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is proposing to construct a temporary pavilion. The proposed three-storey pavilion will accommodate public exhibitions, visitor experience areas, functions and representational areas, commercial retail, food and beverage, administrative areas and external landscaping. The estimated total cost of the works is $60 million, excluding GST. The project was referred to the Public Works Committee on 22 March 2023. Following its inquiry, 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 of the project, works are expected to commence shortly and be completed before the commencement of the Expo in April 2025. At the conclusion of the Expo in October 2025, DFAT will also undertake works to decommission the pavilion. On behalf of the government I would like to thank the committee, ably chaired by the member for Moreton, for undertaking a timely inquiry. 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: Australian Taxation Office—Proposed Fit-out of Existing Premises at 200 Collins Street, Hobart, Tasmania.

The Australian Taxation Office is proposing to undertake fit-out works at its existing lease premises at 200 Collins Street, Hobart, Tasmania. The estimated total fit-out cost to the works is $24.5 million, excluding GST. The project was referred to the Public Works Committee on 7 February 2023. Following its inquiry, 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. The committee has also recommended that, for future projects, the Australian Taxation Office conduct broader staff consultation during the design phase.

Subject to parliamentary approval, the fit-out works are expected to commence in September 2023 and be completed by February 2025. On behalf of the government I would like to thank the committee, ably chaired by the member for Moreton, for undertaking a timely inquiry. 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: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts—Cocos (Keeling) Islands—West Island, Seawater Reverse Osmosis Plant Project.

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts is proposing to undertake essential works on the West Island of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The works will protect the community's water supply into the future and support future economic development on the West Island. The works will involve the construction of a new seawater reverse osmosis plant. The estimated cost of the works is $19.6 million, excluding GST. The project was referred to the Public Works Committee on 7 March 2023. Following its inquiry, 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, works will commence shortly and be completed by late 2024.

On behalf of the government, I'd like to thank the committee, ably chaired by the member for Moreton, for undertaking a timely inquiry. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.