Public Works Committee to scrutinise fit outs and refurbishments for Defence, DFAT and DITRDCSA

THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works (the Committee) will be holding a series of public hearings on Friday, February 6,for three of its current inquiries.

They are: Department of Defence—9 Molonglo Drive project, Brindabella Park, Australian Capital Territory; Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade—Refurbishment of Australian High Commission Staff Residential Compound, Konedobu, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea; and Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts—Proposed Fit-out of New Leased Premises at One City Hill, Canberra City

The Department of Defence’s works seek to fit out a new office at 9 Molonglo Drive, replacing its current office accommodation at Brindabella Park. The total estimated cost is $103.9 million.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s works seek to refurbish 39 apartments at its Konedobu Residential Compound in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The total estimated cost is $37.3 million.

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication, Sports and the Arts’ works seek to fit-out its new office at One City Hill as the second stage of its Canberra City precinct project. The total estimated cost is $46.4 million.

Committee Chair, Tony Zappia MP, said, "Routine office fit outs provide the committee an opportunity to monitor current construction market trends through the scrutiny of Ggovernment property priorities."

The committee will hear from relevant officers from the Department of Defence, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts at the hearings. Interested members of the public are encouraged to listen in to the public hearing via the APH website or attend the hearing in person at the location listed below.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, February 6, 2026
Time: 9:30am–10:15am – Department of Defence (AEDT)

Time: 11:25am–12:10pm – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (AEDT)

Time: 2pm–2:45pm – Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts (AEDT)

Location: Committee room 1R5, Australian Parliament House

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live

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