Mrs DE-ANNE KELLY (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Trade) (4:39 PM) —I move:

This motion proposes the installation of four accessible pram ramps at the junction of the parade ground and Federation Mall, Parliament House. These ramps will enable access to Parliament House by all members of the community and have been designed to meet Australian standards for wheelchair access. More public infrastructure is required to meet the access requirements as outlined in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, or DDA. The parade ground and adjacent sites are used extensively by the public, as well as for major community concerts such as the Christmas concert and the Australia Day concert. The construction of these ramps will need to be finalised prior to 26 January 2004 to meet statutory obligations for access by disabled people to the next planned concert event.

Under section 5 of the Parliament Act 1974 the Presiding Officers are responsible for works within the parliamentary precincts, and the Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government is responsible for other works in the parliamentary zone. Accordingly, this motion is moved on behalf of the Speaker and the President. The works are expected to cost in the vicinity of $10,000 and will be funded by the Joint House Department's administered appropriation for the 2003-04 financial year. The National Capital Authority has given works approval. Given the minor nature of the works, the Presiding Officers did not consider it necessary to refer the matter to the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories for inquiry and report. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.