THE Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, Graham Perrett MP, presented the fifth Public Works Committee Report of 2024 to the House of Representatives on July 1.

This report considers six proposals referred to the Committee between November 2023 and March 2024 with a combined value of more than $2.1 billion. One of the projects, to demolish and replace living-in accommodation at ADFA, makes up half of the combined value at just over one billion dollars.

The committee’s report noted that the ADFA accommodation was no longer fit for purpose and needed replacement. However, the report recommended that Defence improve the proposal by working with the National Capital Authority to increase the height of each building, install electric vehicle chargers, and consider design changes to reduce operating costs.

Although Defence stated that the re-design would assist in reducing incidents of unacceptable behaviour, the committee expected Defence to improve behaviour through social education and fostering cultural change and not rely on an improved building layout.

This project was referred to the committee at an early design stage and has not yet received National Capital Authority approval. The committee has recommended that Defence always refer any future projects at a design level of 50 percent or greater to prevent major design changes from occurring during the inquiry process.  

Mr Perret MP said, "There is a clear need to provide fit-for-purpose accommodation for ADFA trainees to maintain the capability of the ADF."

Report 5 / 2024 also recommended that the following projects be approved:

• Parks Australia — Mutitjulu Essential Services project;
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs — Proposed Fit-out of New Leased Premises at 18 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra;
• Department of Finance – Proposed Fit-out of New Commonwealth Parliament Offices, Perth, Western Australia;
• Department of Defence — Albury Wodonga Military Area Redevelopment project;
• Department of Defence —RAAF Base Wagga Redevelopment Project.

For background information

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THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) will be holding a second public hearing on Friday, June 28, for its inquiry into the 2022–23 Defence Major Projects Report (MPR).

“The MPR is an important accountability mechanism and the discipline of the MPR over many years has had a positive impact on Defence’s internal management of major projects,” Committee Chair Julian Hill MP said.

“More evidence is needed regarding how Defence assesses military off-the-shelf options during procurement processes. For decades, previous reviews of Defence procurement have insisted that a military off-the-shelf option must be considered and compared to ‘bespoke’ options in new capability procurement.

“The committee also wants to understand how changes to scope are decided after a project is underway as variations to scope can be a key reason for delays and cost escalations. How are capability and delivery managers engaged in the context of scope changes and who ultimately decides? It’s important that industry realities and cost and schedule impacts are fully considered when a decision is made to change the scope of a new capability after initial procurement.”

The details are as follows:

Date: Friday, June 28, 2024

Time: 3pm – 5pm (AEST)

Venue: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House         

The hearing will be broadcast live and will be accessible from the Parliament House website.

Details on the inquiry—including the terms of reference and submissions received—are available on the Committee website.

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THE Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs (JSCATSIA) will hold its opening public hearing today for the inquiry into improving the economic self-determination and opportunities for First Nations Australians.

Indigenous businesses are estimated to contribute more than $16 billion to the Australian economy, employ 116,795 people, and pay $4.2 billion in wages^.[1].

The committee is interested in hearing from Indigenous Business Australia and a range of government agencies such as IP Australia, the Treasury and the National Indigenous Australians Agency about the support and opportunities they offer to First Nations Australians for training, employment and business development, as well as matters relating to Intellectual Property, and building the economic and social infrastructure to support economic prosperity in the long term.

CommitteeChair, Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba woman Senator Jana Stewart, said, "Blak-owned businesses are creating long-term economic prosperity in their communities. It is critical that we examine the opportunities and barriers to ensuring First Nations knowledge can be protected, and Blak businesses can thrive."

Further information on the inquiry, including the program for the public hearing at Parliament House on Friday June 28, is available on the committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: Friday, 28 June 2024
Time: 9am – 4pm (AEST)
Venue: Committee Room 1R5, Parliament House         

The hearing will be broadcast live and will be accessible from the Parliament House website.

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THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water will hold its first public hearing in Canberra tomorrow for its inquiry into the transition to electric vehicles (EVs).

Committee Chair, Tony Zappia MP, said, "The committee is looking forward to hearing evidence from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) alongside the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA) to find out what work has been done to date and what the future needs might be to support Australia’s transition to electric vehicles.

"The committee will also hear from peak bodies and associations that will provide a customer and industry focus on what Australia’s future needs might be to support the country through the transition to electric vehicles. This is the first of a series of public hearings to be held across Australia," Mr Zappia said.

The program for Friday’s public hearing can be found here.

The committee will conduct further public hearings between July to September 2024. Further information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, and submissions is available on the committee’s website.

Public hearing details

Date: 28 June 2024
Time: 8.45am – 12.40pm
Location: Committee Room 2R2, Parliament House

Witnesses: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA), Australia Electric Vehicle Association, National Road Transport Association, Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association, Electric Vehicle Council.

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