Chapter 1 Introduction

1.1                   Under the Public Works Committee Act 1969 (the Act), the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works is required to inquire into and report on public works referred to it through either house of Parliament. Referrals are generally made by the Special Minister of State.

1.2                   All public works that have an estimated cost exceeding $15 million must be referred to the Committee and cannot be commenced until the Committee has made its report to Parliament and the House of Representatives receives that report and resolves that it is expedient to carry out the work.[1]

1.3                   Under the Act, a public work is a work proposed to be undertaken by the Commonwealth, or on behalf of the Commonwealth concerning:

• the construction, alteration, repair, refurbishment or fitting-out of buildings and other structures;
  
  
• the installation, alteration or repair of plant and equipment designed to be used in, or in relation to, the provision of services for buildings and other structures;
  
  
• the undertaking, construction, alteration or repair of landscaping and earthworks (whether or not in relation to buildings and other structures);
  
  
• the demolition, destruction, dismantling or removal of buildings, plant and equipment, earthworks, and other structures;
  
  
• the clearing of land and the development of land for use as urban land or otherwise; and
  
  
• any other matter declared by the regulations to be a work.[2]

1.4                   The Act requires that the Committee consider and report on:

• the purpose of the work and its suitability for that purpose;
  
  
• the need for, or the advisability of, carrying out the work;
  
  
• whether the money to be expended on the work is being spent in the most cost effective manner;
  
  
• the amount of revenue the work will generate for the Commonwealth, if that is its purpose; and
  
  
• the present and prospective public value of the work.[3]

1.5                   The Committee pays attention to these and any other relevant factors when considering the proposed work.

Structure of the report

1.6                   Seven of the works considered in this report were referred to the Committee in February and March 2013. These works were referred by the Special Minister of State, the Hon Gary Gray AO MP. One work was referred in April 2013, by the Governor-General.

1.7                   This report also contains an extension to budget and timeline for a work referred in March 2012.

1.8                   In considering the works, the Committee analysed the evidence presented by the proponent agency, public submissions and evidence received at public and in-camera hearings.

1.9                   In consideration of the need to report expeditiously as required by Section 17(1) of the Act, the Committee has only reported on major issues of concern.

1.10               The Committee appreciates, and fully considers, the input of the community to its inquiries. Those interested in the proposals considered in this report are encouraged to access the full inquiry proceedings available on the Committee’s website.

1.11               Chapter 2 addresses the extension to budget and timeline to the proposed fit-out of Commonwealth Parliamentary offices at 1 Bligh Street, Sydney, NSW. This project was originally referred to the Committee in March 2012. The estimated cost of the project is now $25.45 million.

1.12               Chapter 3 addresses the construction of a new post-entry quarantine facility at Mickleham, Victoria. The project is estimated to cost $293.1 million.

1.13               Chapter 4 addresses the AIR 9000 Phase 8 MH-60R Seahawk Romeo facilities project. The project is estimated to cost $201.3 million.

1.14               Chapter 5 addresses two projects: the Air Warfare Destroyer Ship sustainment facilities at Garden Island, Randwick Barracks and HMAS Watson, Sydney, NSW; and the landing helicopter dock ship sustainment facilities at Garden Island and Randwick Barracks, Sydney, NSW. The projects are estimated to cost $109.9 million and $60.3 million respectively.

1.15               Chapter 6 addresses the Defence Science and Technology Organisation Human Protection Performance Division security and facilities upgrade, Fishermans Bend, Melbourne, Victoria. The project is estimated to cost $41.1 million.

1.16               Chapter 7 addresses the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Melbourne accommodation project, Southbank, Victoria. The project is estimated to cost $176.4 million.

1.17               Chapter 8 addresses the infrastructure and upgrade works to establish a regional processing centre on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea. The project is estimated to cost $171.69 million.

1.18               Chapter 9 addresses the Multi National Base Tarin Kot Remediation Project. The project is estimated to cost $47.2 million.

1.19               Submissions are listed at Appendix A, and inspections, hearings and witnesses are listed at Appendix B.