PRESS RELEASE the Prime Minister will officially open the
recently completed Australian Government Centre in
Arm Street, Brisbane, adjoining Anzac Square, on
23 March at 3.30 p. m.
Mr. Fred Daly, the Minister for Services and
Property and Leader of the IHou announcing this today,
said that invitations to the opening had been sent to
the Federal Minister for Works, Senator J. Cavanagh,
the Premier of Queensland, the Hon. J. Bjelke-Petersen,
the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Mr. Clem Jones, Federal
members of Parliament and State M. P. s, senior public
servants, trade urnion officials arid other citizens.
The $ 9.4 million, 20 level steel and
concrete complex provides 200,000 square feet of office
space. The title Australian Government Centre r. eplaces
the former name, Commonwealth Centre, and has been adopted
to establish the building's national identity.
It accommodates 11 Australian Government
Departments, employing 1,600 public ser-fants, as well
as providing offices for Ministers, Members and Senators
of the Australian Parliament.
The complex includes five levels of underground
parking for 120 cars, a theatrette for special presentations
and staff training programmes, and a cafeteria
to seat 290 employees.
The Meteorological Bureau occupies the top
floor to enable meteorological instruments to be located
on the roof of the building. . o/ 2
Departments dealing most directly with the public-
Social Security, Housing and Repatriation have receptibn
areas on the Ann Street level. Ttiu:, 80 per cent of the
callers at the building are normally aible to conduct their
business conveniently at this level.
The opening ceremony will take place at the
plaza entrance, off Creek Street.
6 March 1973