Anne McEwen (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator O'Neill, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Cormann, no later than 3.30 pm on 30 November 2015, all documents recording contacts between:

(a) the Commonwealth and New South Wales State Government relating to the purchase or lease of the old Gosford Public School site on the Gosford waterfront; and

(b) the Commonwealth and the New South Wales State Government, Gosford City Council, the Central Coast Regional Development Corporation, the Doma Group and other tenderers relating to the proposed Australian Taxation Office building development in Gosford.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Deputy President, I seek leave to make a short statement.

Gavin Marshall (Victoria, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted.

Scott Ryan (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Australian government is not purchasing land in Gosford and is not constructing an office building in Gosford; therefore, it is not correct that there is a proposed Australian Taxation Office building development in Gosford. The ATO released an expression of interest in October 2014 to commence the procurement process. The EOI specified required dimensions for the commercial offices' premises within a 1.5-kilometre radius of Gosford city centre. The EOI noted the ATO would consider premises to be constructed, or refurbished, or in existing condition. The preferred tenderer, Doma Group, will construct the new building on a site that Doma Group has secured from the New South Wales government. The Australian government will lease premises for 600 employees, the majority being ATO staff. As the Australian government is not building on the old Gosford Public School site, or purchasing the old site from the New South Wales government, the Australian government holds no documents concerning contracts with the New South Wales government about the purchase or lease of the site. Doma Group will seek a development application approval from the local council.

Question agreed to.