Defence build $800,000 office for Minister but forget to tell him

Defence bureaucrats have built an $800,000 room with a view for their Minister but forgot to tell him about it - and their reason why it was built is even more puzzling.

Defence has “alarmingly” created an $800,000 office in its headquarters for its Minister Richard Marles complete with his embossed name on the door but forget to tell him they were even doing it or why.

The costly build in Canberra’s Russell defence precinct was only discovered seven months into the project after one of his staff members was asked parliamentary questions on notice and made clear the Minister would not be moving.

Piles of internal departmental discussion was then uncovered on everything from moving the boss’s door name plate, fridges, safes and personal belongings from his modest office on level 2 to the new refurbished high security suite on level 5.

Some of the plans and concept images for a new office suite for Defence Minister Richard Marles that his department forgot to tell him they were building. Picture: Supplied

There was even animated debate on what coat rack style he might like.

The suite is now so toxic, no-one wants to go near it and its being set aside as a “flexible work space” for any three star general, defence civilian equivalent or “prominent external” visitor who may need secure digs with sweeping views over the Majura ranges into NSW.

The Russell Defence precinct in Canberra. Picture: AAP

Memos now released under Freedom of Information include an apparently incredulous Mr Marles’ chief of staff Jo Tarnawsky expressing concern as she demanded to know how it could have happened without “any knowledge or consultation with our office”.

“The Deputy Prime Minister does not need nor did he request an office be purpose built for him or any other Minister,” Ms Tarnawsky wrote.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles in his office at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“He was at no time briefed about Defence’s decision to create an Executive Suite nor the relocation of ministerial signage identifying the suite as his. The Deputy Prime Minister will not be taking occupancy … Any signage that has been relocated from his current office on level 2 to level 5 should be relocated to its original location as a matter of urgency.

“Defence unilaterally deciding to relocate this signage is not a reason to take occupancy of a space that far exceeds the requirements of the Deputy Prime Minister.”

The office suite included desk areas for at least three staff.

The Defence memo about a coat rack for a new office suite for Defence Minister Richard Marles that he knew nothing about. Picture: Supplied

Department deputy secretary for security and estate Celia Perkins was co-ordinating the refurbishment for the area which had originally been occupied by the department’s CFO but was to have the Minister installed by mid October last year.

She confirmed the previous government had approved a refurbishment of the Russell Offices and that a “unilateral decision was made by Defence” to expand that project to include an additional suite for Mr Marles.

Defence has since conceded the new suite was internal, “developed in isolation” of the minister’s office and “knowledge, request or approval” and they recognise the Minister “seems quite happy” with his original digs.

Exactly who authorised or decided to create the costly expenditure of taxpayers money was not detailed.

Originally published as Defence build $800,000 office for Minister but forget to tell him