New Australian Senate Offices to Cost Taxpayers $1.34 Million Each: Inquiry

Eleven new Senate suites at Parliament House will cost an estimated $1.34 million (US$960,000) each, with the total project exceeding $14 million.

Nicola Hinder, deputy secretary at the Department of Parliamentary Services, confirmed the per-suite cost and overall budget during Senate Estimates.

Liberal Senator Jane Hume asked whether the $1.34 million per suite estimate remained current.

“Senator yes, that is part of the overall budget envelope associated with the construction of the 11 Senate suites,” Hinder told the Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee.

Senator Hume followed up: “So the total project cost remains in excess of $14 million?”

“Yes senator, it does,” Hinder replied.

The deputy secretary defended the costs, explaining that the Australian Parliament House (APH) was a unique building with far higher standards than typical residential construction.

“APH is a very different building. It is required to comply with very different codes to what normally apply in a residential construction,” she said.

“The quality of the work, the height of the ceilings, the fit out that’s required, the actual construction and the restrictions on construction all add to those costs.”

Hinder noted the department had received questions about the figures and offered further transparency, saying the secretary would send a letter inviting committee members on a tour of the construction site.

Cost Could Change, On Track for Completion in 2027

Hume then asked Hinder to confirm whether nearly $1.5 million had already been spent on the project up to February.

“Senator, I will get accurate, up-to-date figures for you on notice,” Hinder replied, noting that she did not have the data on hand.

The project is on track for completion in mid-2027, most likely by June.

When asked whether the total cost had risen since approval, Hinder said changes were expected as design and fit-out details evolved.

“We are doing some really deep thinking at the moment about the way that we actually present the capital works program to the committee,” Hinder said.

“As the building works evolve, the design evolves, the furniture evolves, everything evolves there will be changes.”

The suites form part of a wider rolling capital works and building renewal program (pdf) in the Senate wing of Parliament House.

Five suites are set to be built on the ground floor and six on level one, in line with the wing’s original design.

The suites will provide new office space for senators, allowing existing suites to be vacated while essential in-ceiling works, including fire compliance and other refurbishments take place.