Chapter1 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 a delegate of the Minister for Finance.
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:
n the construction,
alteration, repair, refurbishment or fitting-out of buildings and other
structures;
n 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;
n the undertaking,
construction, alteration or repair of landscaping and earthworks (whether or
not in relation to buildings and other structures);
n the demolition,
destruction, dismantling or removal of buildings, plant and equipment,
earthworks, and other structures;
n the clearing of land
and the development of land for use as urban land or otherwise; and
n any other matter
declared by the regulations to be a work.[2]
1.4
The Act requires that the Committee consider and report on:
n the purpose of the
work and its suitability for that purpose;
n the need for, or the
advisability of, carrying out the work;
n whether the money to
be expended on the work is being spent in the most cost effective manner;
n the amount of revenue
the work will generate for the Commonwealth, if that is its purpose; and
n 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.
Matters addressed in this report
1.6
Works considered in this report were referred to the Committee between
February 2009 and March 2009 by the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence
Support, the Hon Dr Mike Kelly MP.
1.7
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.
1.8
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. Other issues raised through the inquiry process where the Committee
was able to satisfy itself that the issues will be addressed appropriately by
the proponent agency are not reported.
1.9
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.[4]
1.10
Chapter 2 addresses the proposed fit-out of new leased premises for the
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) at an estimated cost of
$30.8 million (excluding GST).
1.11
Chapter 3 addresses the referral of proposed construction of housing for
Defence at Yamanto Hills, Ipswich, Queensland.
1.12
Submissions are listed at Appendix A and Appendix B lists inspections,
hearings and witnesses.