Senator LUNDY (9:43 AM) —by leave—I think it is worth making a few points about this particular motion, which seeks to approve capital works within the parliamentary zone—namely, the design and content of the Centenary of Women's Suffrage commemorative fountain in the Old Parliament House gardens. I know that the minister, like all of us, is aware of the history of this. Originally the commemorative capital works were to be a red fan. When the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories assessed the merits of the red fan and decided, early on, not to advise the minister to inquire into this issue, it was because we had assurances of full consultation from the National Capital Authority and assurances from them that the design had been tested.

Some time later it became clear that neither of these things had occurred. Not only did the design change substantially; indeed the National Capital Authority was challenged by a number of organisations as to whether the authority had consulted them. The issue was a combination of the subjective view of the red fan monument and concern about the process by which the National Capital Authority pursued the approvals. The joint standing committee does not have a problem with this proposal, so we are not seeking to oppose it in any way. But we do want to say that we understand that, once again, full consultation processes have been gone through. I know that the minister, as well, would have been assured of this in supporting this motion. We support the motion, but I think it is worth noting the controversy leading up to this point and that, once again, we have been convinced by the National Capital Authority that they have adhered to appropriate consultation processes in the context of the sensitivity of this issue.

Question agreed to.