$27m for newParliament precinct buildings

The Government has promised at least

$27 million for two newoffice buildings in Parliament’s precinct. The 2022 Budget showed the Government would go ahead with the planned construction, putting aside $27m in capital spending and further funding thatwas not specified ‘‘for commercial sensitivity reasons’’. Parliament has in recent years been squeezed for space after an annexe behind the Beehive and Bowen House, a leased 22-floor building, were vacated for earthquake strengthening. Speaker Trevor Mallard, who has responsibility for the parliamentary precinct, said the project had ‘‘majority party support’’. He said the existing arrangements for ministers, MPs and staff were ‘‘expensive, inefficient and unsustainable’’. ‘‘The newbuildings will be base isolated and constructed using rigorous earthquake safety designs, within a consolidated and secure parliamentary precinct.’’