COMMITTEES

Mr ZAPPIA (Makin) (15:38): On behalf of the Standing Committee on Public Works, I present the committee report 5/2026: Referral made March 2026. Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e). Mr ZAPPIA: by leave—This report considers two proposed works: Australian Federal Police—proposed fit-out of leased premises, 949 Ann Street, Brisbane, for an estimated budget of $89.3 million; and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation—upgrade and fit-out of Building 302 Research Way, Clayton, Victoria, for an estimated budget of $18.27 million.

In considering these proposed works, the committee received submissions, conducted site inspections, received private briefings and conducted public and in-camera hearings with relevant government officials and other interested parties. The committee travelled to Melbourne to visit the CSIRO Aspendale site, which is to be replaced by Building 302 Research Way at CSIRO Clayton, and the AFP Southern Command site to view the features that would be incorporated into the design of the proposed AFP Brisbane site—AFP Northern Command—upon completion of the project.

After giving due consideration to the evidence that the committee received, the committee sees merit in these proposals and therefore recommends that it is expedient for both proposed works to proceed. The fit-out of the proposed AFP Northern Command in Brisbane will provide essential accommodation and facilities to support the AFP's capacity in responding to an increasingly complex operational landscape.

The committee was able to meet with some of the diligent AFP officers and staff during the site inspection in Melbourne and thanks those who took the time to demonstrate how these upgraded facilities support their work. The committee also commends the AFP's SHIELD program, which supports the health and wellbeing of officers at the forefront of protecting Australians from some of the most deplorable crimes, and notes how the proposed design of the AFP Northern Command will enhance access to these services.

The committee acknowledges that Brisbane, and Queensland more broadly, is rapidly growing in strategic significance and accepts that a fit-for-purpose facility is essential for the AFP's continued efforts to secure Australia's future in the region. The CSIRO Aspendale site has played a foundational role in putting Australia at the forefront of climate, ocean and atmospheric science for 50 years.

At the site inspection, the committee were able to see firsthand how the very committed scientists and staff have continued to support Australia's resilience and productivity through world-leading research despite outdated, inefficient and inadequate facilities. The proposed work will address this by providing high-specification laboratory and fit-for-purpose technical spaces at its existing Clayton site.

The committee accepts that this represents an effective and economic use of existing CSIRO assets and therefore considers it both operationally necessary and of value to the public. I thank the secretariat for their assistance in both of these hearings and in this report and also my colleagues on the Public Works Committee, again, for their assistance and support in coming to the conclusions that we did.

I commend the report to the House.