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Politics

Hale And Hearty For New Cabinet Offices

Posted on 13 November 2011 . Tags: ,

Hale And Hearty For New Cabinet Offices

Western Australia Minister for Finance Simon O’Brien

History, Economics With Honours At Hale House

Victor P Taffa

  • New State Cabinet offices to be paid for within 10 years
  • Important heritage building restored

Hale House in West Perth – the original Hale School – is well on the way to regaining its former glory according to Finance Minister Simon O’Brien.

 

Mr. O’Brien and a group of Hale School old boys today inspected progress of the important heritage building’s refurbishment.

 

Hale House is going to be the new home of the State Cabinet offices, but began its life as home to Hale School boarders until the school moved to Wembley Downs in 1962.

 

“Hale House is without doubt the best choice for the replacement of the Cabinet offices.” the Minister said.

 

“In purely economic terms this is a good decision. Like most West Australians, this Government would prefer to buy or renovate a house we already own, rather than spend money on rent.

 

“This option will be paid off within 10 years, compared to expensive renting of a CBD office and refurbishing someone else’s property.”

 

“This calculation includes the cost of renovating Hale House which the State would have had to do anyway because of the building’s heritage value. Locating Cabinet offices within this State-owned building is economically sound and practical.” Mr. O’Brien said.

 

“Beyond the economics, the Cabinet office will be housed in a significant symbolic building. It is a place that represents Western Australia; it is a place where some of our most important decisions are made; and it is a place where this State hosts important visitors. Hale House will fulfil these roles with distinction.”

 

The Hale House decision falls within the Government’s broader plan to save $25 Million a year on office accommodation, a plan that is on track with the final department moving this weekend into Gordon Stephenson House at 140 William Street, Perth.

 

Fact File