Dr STONE (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance and Administration) (9:30 AM) —I move:

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs proposes the provision of additional facilities at the Darwin Detention Facility, previously known as the Coonawarra Contingency Immigration Reception Facility.

In December last year, the government announced that a joint fisheries-immigration detention facility would be established at the existing contingency immigration facility located within the Defence establishment at Berrimah previously known as HMAS Coonawarra.

The proposed work is required to enhance the amenity to meet the immigration detention standards and improve the security of the northern compound to enable the facility to operate on an ongoing basis. The current security arrangements are low key and not suitable for a detention facility operating on an ongoing basis.

The works proposed include:

• security upgrade;
• medical facilities to provide primary medical care;
• a kitchen;
• interview facilities;
• disabled access and accommodation;
• ablutions;
• upgrading an existing building to cyclone shelter capacity;
• shaded structures;
• services provider administration building; and
• a storage area for detainee belongings.

The estimated cost of the proposed works is $7.65 million.

In its report, the Public Works Committee recommended that the proposal should proceed, subject to the recommendations of the committee.

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs accepts and will implement the recommendations of the committee.

Subject to parliamentary approval, work is scheduled to commence in September this year and be completed by mid next year.

On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee. I commend the motion to the House.

Question agreed to.