Centenary House

Centenary House, Canberra

Centenary House is a building in Canberra, Australia. It consists of five levels and located at 16 National Circuit Barton.

It is the national headquarters of the Australian National Audit Office (usually known as the ANAO, a Commonwealth Government entity). The building was owned until July 2005 by John Curtin House Limited, an entity wholly owned by the ALP. The leasing of part of Centenary House to the ANAO was the subject of political controversy for more than ten years.

Centenary House was built in 1991 and the ALP (through Lend Lease, a property company) negotiated a lease with the ANAO. This lease began on 23 September 1993, for 15 years (that is, it is to conclude on 23 September 2008).

The total area that was leased was 6,297 square metres. In 1993, the rent to be charged was $367.95 per square metre. Due to a "ratchet clause", which specifies that the annual rent would increase by 9% or market rates (whichever is the greater), in 2004 the annual rent is $949.47. The current estimated market price(1) in Canberra for rented space is $330.00.

The Federal Opposition (the Liberal-National Coalition at that time) demanded an enquiry to what they saw as a "rort" and the Keating ALP Government set up a Royal Commission.

The Royal Commission (headed by Trevor Morling QC) found that the rent charged "was a fair market rental for accommodation in a building such as Centenary House. This was supported by extensive market evidence and there is nothing to suggest that it was excessive". The ratchet clause was also found as justified because it was "well supported by historical rent movements" and that "the length of the term is not disadvantageous to the Commonwealth".

A second Royal Commission was appointed by the Howard government, and during 2004 Howard government ministers, particularly Tony Abbott, repeatedly accused the ALP of improperly profiting from the alleged "rort" of the lease. The Royal Commission reported in December 2004.

The report of the Royal Commissioner, Hon David Hunt, AO QC, found that the original inquiry was inadequate. It found that the rent was excessive and should not have been entered into by a prudent government. The report was critical of several public servants, but did not make any findings of corrupt conduct by John Curtin House Limited or the Australian Labor Party.

In July 2005 the ALP National Secretary, Tim Gartrell, announced that the building had been sold for more than $30 million.

External links

Canberra landmarks

Buildings and structures	ACT Heritage Library ACT Memorial All Saints Church Australian Army Memorial Australia Forum Australian War Memorial Australian–American Memorial Basser Library Black Mountain Tower Captain James Cook Memorial Centenary House Edmund Barton Building Gus's High Court of Australia Hotel Canberra Hotel Kurrajong Korean War Memorial Legislative Assembly Building The Lodge Lovett Tower Mercure Hotel Mount Stromlo Observatory National Carillon National Gallery of Australia Research Library Old Parliament House Parliament House Royal Australian Mint St John the Baptist Church Scrivener Dam Supreme Court Tilley's Yarralumla Yarralumla brickworks

Precincts	City Walk Belconnen Town Centre Garema Place Parliamentary Triangle Tuggeranong Town Centre Woden Town Centre

Parks and open spaces	Australian National Botanic Gardens Black Mountain Peninsula Canberra Nature Park Canberra Peace Park City Hill Cockington Green Gardens Commonwealth Park Commonwealth Place Constitution Place Corroboree Park Glebe Park Kings Park Lennox Gardens including Canberra-Nara Peace Park Lindsay Pryor National Arboretum Magna Carta Place Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve National Arboretum Canberra National Rose Garden Telopea Park Weston Park Yarramundi Reach

Cultural institutions	Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Australian Institute of Anatomy Australian National University Classics Museum Blundells Cottage Cameron Offices, Belconnen Canberra Glassworks Canberra Museum and Gallery Canberra Railway Museum National Archives of Australia National Film and Sound Archive National Gallery of Australia National Library of Australia National Museum of Australia National Portrait Gallery Questacon

Sport	AIS Arena Australian Institute of Sport Canberra International Sports & Aquatic Centre Canberra Stadium Canberra Yacht Club Manuka Oval McKellar Park Narrabundah Ballpark Royal Canberra Golf Club Southern Cross Stadium Viking Park

Transportation	Canberra Airport ANZAC Parade, Canberra Canberra railway station

Entertainment	Albert Hall Big Splash Canberra Theatre Casino Canberra National Convention Centre National Zoo & Aquarium

Beaches and islands	Lake Burley Griffin Aspen Island Spinnaker Island Springbank Island

Coordinates: 35°18′40″S 149°07′59″E / 35.311°S 149.133°E / -35.311; 149.133

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