On Wednesday, 31 July 2019 the Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries, Senator the Hon Jonathon Duniam, asked the Committee to inquire into and report on the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation - Consolidation of property portfolio in the greater Sydney area to reduce surplus accommodation capacity.

More information about the public works proposal can be found in the submission made by the proponent entity.  The Committee's terms of reference are contained in subsection 17(3) of the Public Works Committee Act 1969. 

Essentially, the Committee is required to report as expeditiously as practicable on:

• the stated purpose of the proposed work and its suitability for that purpose
• the need for the work
• the cost-effectiveness of the proposal
• the amount of revenue it will produce if the work is revenue producing the current and prospective value of the work.