Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee, , 5:15:31 to 5:18:30
Senator McGrath questions the department on the construction schedule for the Circular Quay renewal program and the impact of PII claims on information disclosure regarding project timelines.
Topics: Infrastructure, Procurement
Speakers: Hon James McGrath, Lok Potticary, Jessica Hall
>> The Commonwealth's infrastructure investment program website lists the timetable for the circular key renewal program as TBC. The initial infrastructure Australia business case evaluation said the project was to commence in 20 uh 25 and finish by 2028. What is the current what is the department's current understanding of when construction will commence and be
So, Senator, um, as part of a request for documents, the minister has made a public interest immunity claim over a number of, uh, documents related to this project. So, um, I think I'm going to have to take on notice your questions given that the minister's made public interest immunity claim, and I just want to be able to check those before responding.
>> I I'm not asking for documents here. I'm asking um what is the depart department's current understanding of when construction will commence and be completed. So I'm I'm I'm not asking for documents. I'm just asking that that question with the two components to it.
>> I don't have a time frame for you,
>> When when you say you don't have the time frame, does anyone in the department have the the time frame?
I really would like to take given that the minister has made a public interest immunity claim over documents. I would like to take it on notice and be able to consult with responding to your questions around this project. Senator,
in relation to the question that I've which I I would have thought is a pretty easy question in a way. Um, and I I'll repeat it because the website lists the timetable for the circular key renewal program as TBC. The original sorry the initial infrastructure Australia business case said the project was to commence last year in 2025 and finish by 2028. The question I'm asking is what is the department's current understanding of when construction will commence and be
completed? So, Senator, we haven't finalized with transport for New South Wales at this stage the start and um end dates with transport for New South Wales. We're still confirming the cost and scope of the works to be undertaken.