In relation to the $1 million contribution to the National Capital Authority for the construction of the ACT Promotion Centre on Regatta Point, as listed in the 1999-2000 Budget:

(1) What is the final amount of money provided by the Government for the construction of the Centre;

(2) What is the breakdown of expenditure covered by the ACT funding;

(3) What was the contribution of the National Capital Authority to the construction of the Centre;

(4) What tender process was used to select the builder for the Centre;

(5) Were there any variations to the building contract for the Centre.

(1) The ACT Government contributed $1.1 million to the National Capital Authority for the construction of the Canberra Business Promotion Centre;

(2) The ACT Government's contribution will go towards the construction of the redevelopment at Regatta Point. In return, the ACT Government will be granted a Licence Agreement for 20 years (250 square metres of space) to operate the Canberra Business Promotion Centre. In addition, the ACT Government has budgeted a further $409,000 to fit-out the Centre and for furniture and technology for display purposes;

(3) Senator Ian Macdonald, Federal Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government announced in a media release, dated 6 March 2000 (copy attached), that the Commonwealth Government would spend approximately $4 million on the redevelopment at Regatta Point, which includes the Canberra Business Promotion Centre.

(4) The National Capital Authority carried out an open tender process to select the contractor to undertake the construction of the redevelopment at Regatta Point.

(5) Management of the building contract is the responsibility of the National Capital Authority and I am not aware of any variations to the contract.