COMMITTEES

Mr PERRETT (Moreton) (17:27): On behalf of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, I present the 88th annual report and the corrigendum to report No. 9 of 2024, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts: command centre and canine facility at Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport and other works.

Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e). Mr PERRETT: by leave—The committee is required by legislation to make a report every year on its work. Chapter 1 of the 88th annual report covers the committee's proceedings from 2024.

Last year the committee reported on 22 major works with a combined cost of over $6.4 billion. The committee also scrutinised 98 medium works with a combined value of over $1.3 billion. Chapter 1 also discusses the government response to the 87th annual report.

That report recommended a comprehensive review of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, noting that the role of the committee has changed since its establishment more than 100 years ago. The committee welcomed the government response to the recommendation of the last report and considers that reform of the public works act would ensure ongoing parliamentary oversight of Commonwealth public works.

The second chapter discusses post-implementation reports, which have been required for completed projects since 2010. These reports detail whether works have been delivered within the approved scope, cost and timeframe. The committee has received 91 reports.

Analysis of these reports shows that one in five projects ran over the initially approved budget, two in five changed scope and half ran longer than the estimated timelines. Fewer than one in three projects were delivered within original budget, scope and timeframe. Often changes were made without informing the committee.

Obviously, this undermines the effectiveness of the democratically elected committee's oversight of these public works. The post-implementation report process is not part of the committee's legislative framework. Up to 75 post-implementation reports are outstanding, and, generally, reports are provided a year late.

One in four reports have been provided more than two years post-practical completion, obviously limiting the committee's scrutiny. There is also no framework for using or publicly reporting the information in post-implementation reports. This process could be improved as part of the legislative reform that the committee has proposed to the government.

In looking back of the work of the committee in 2024, I would like to thank the members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for their participation in, and contributions to, the 47th Parliament. I'd particularly like to thank the outgoing deputy chair, the former member for Hinkler, Keith Pitt, and I record my appreciation for his practical and collaborative approach to the work of the committee.

I will miss him. I also welcome the new deputy chair, the member for Dawson, and I look forward to working with Andrew. Finally, I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the retirement of the public works committee secretary, Lynley Ducker, and I thank her for her work for this parliament and for the people of Australia; safe travels, Lynley, you've been a joy to work with.

I commend the report to the House. The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mr Vasta ): Order. I thank the member for Moreton.

It has been a pleasure to serve with him in this parliament.