❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the Premier regarding the high cost of fitting out Mr Catania's new electorate office, seeking details on approvals, costs, and existing policies. The Premier's response details the expenditure and justifies the lack of a cost limit due to varying circumstances.
AnsweredQoN 2268Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the article 'MLA office almost $200,000', in the Northern Guardian on 26 November 2014, which states that a Department of Finance spokesperson said
a contract to fit-out Mr Catania’s office for $197,979 was awarded in June 2014
and was paid for by the Department of Premier and Cabinet, and ask: (a) was a business case and plans lodged by Mr Catania; (b) if no to (a), why not and who lodged the business case and plans; (c) will the Minister table the business case and plans; (d) if no to (c), why not; (e) who in the department approved the move and costs; (f) is rent at Mr Catania's previous electorate office still being paid by the Department of Premier and Cabinet; (g) if yes to (f), what is the total cost to the end of the lease; (h) what has been the total expenditure for Mr Catania to move electorate office, please provide a breakdown of costs including fit out, removal costs and rental; (i) on average, how much does it cost for a Member of Parliament to move electorate office; (j) is there a limit to how much the Department of Premier and Cabinet allocates for Members of Parliament to move electorate offices; (k) if yes to (j), what is the amount; and (l) if not (j), why not?
a contract to fit-out Mr Catania’s office for $197,979 was awarded in June 2014
and was paid for by the Department of Premier and Cabinet, and ask: (a) was a business case and plans lodged by Mr Catania; (b) if no to (a), why not and who lodged the business case and plans; (c) will the Minister table the business case and plans; (d) if no to (c), why not; (e) who in the department approved the move and costs; (f) is rent at Mr Catania's previous electorate office still being paid by the Department of Premier and Cabinet; (g) if yes to (f), what is the total cost to the end of the lease; (h) what has been the total expenditure for Mr Catania to move electorate office, please provide a breakdown of costs including fit out, removal costs and rental; (i) on average, how much does it cost for a Member of Parliament to move electorate office; (j) is there a limit to how much the Department of Premier and Cabinet allocates for Members of Parliament to move electorate offices; (k) if yes to (j), what is the amount; and (l) if not (j), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
11 March 2015
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Premier
Response time
99 days
The Department of the Premier and Cabinet advises:
(a) No
(b) There were no options within the existing lease to extend.
(c) Not Applicable
(d) Not Applicable
(e) The Director General provided a recommendation seeking approval from the Premier.
(f) No
(g) Not Applicable
(h)
As at 2 December 2014:
Breakdown
Cost
Fit-out works under contract as at 2 December 2014
$195,316
Architect costs, electrical engineers, removalists and fees payable to the Department of Finance's Building Management and Works as at 2 December 2014
$37,971
Costs to establish the lease, which includes fees for the provision of the building condition report, leasing consultant costs and legal fees
$9,433
Total expenditure
$242,720
The rental rate for the new parliamentary electorate office as at 2 December 2014 is $312 per square metre per annum, in comparison to the previous electorate office of $352 per square metre per annum.
(i) The costs vary significantly depending on the circumstances relating to a particular office. Moves in regional locations are generally higher than in the Perth metropolitan and central business district areas.
(j) No. The costs vary significantly depending on the circumstances relating to a particular office.
(k) Not Applicable
(l) Refer to (i) above.
(a) No
(b) There were no options within the existing lease to extend.
(c) Not Applicable
(d) Not Applicable
(e) The Director General provided a recommendation seeking approval from the Premier.
(f) No
(g) Not Applicable
(h)
As at 2 December 2014:
Breakdown
Cost
Fit-out works under contract as at 2 December 2014
$195,316
Architect costs, electrical engineers, removalists and fees payable to the Department of Finance's Building Management and Works as at 2 December 2014
$37,971
Costs to establish the lease, which includes fees for the provision of the building condition report, leasing consultant costs and legal fees
$9,433
Total expenditure
$242,720
The rental rate for the new parliamentary electorate office as at 2 December 2014 is $312 per square metre per annum, in comparison to the previous electorate office of $352 per square metre per annum.
(i) The costs vary significantly depending on the circumstances relating to a particular office. Moves in regional locations are generally higher than in the Perth metropolitan and central business district areas.
(j) No. The costs vary significantly depending on the circumstances relating to a particular office.
(k) Not Applicable
(l) Refer to (i) above.
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