Dr STONE (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance and Administration) (9:28 AM) —I move:

This new facility and associated building refurbishment works will:

• house CSIRO Entomology’s Canberra based biotechnology research activities;
• replace existing unsatisfactory support facilities;
• enable the demolition of three existing obsolete minor buildings, not suitable for contemporary research; and
• enable the further rationalisation of the Entomology Precinct at the CSIRO Black Mountain Laboratories.

The estimated cost of the proposed works is $14.5 million, exclusive of GST.

In its report, the Public Works Committee has recommended that these works should proceed, subject to the recommendations of the committee. The CSIRO accepts and will implement those recommendations.

Subject to parliamentary approval, tenders are planned to be called early next year with completion of construction by early 2007.

I would like, on behalf of the government, to thank the committee for its support.  I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.