Defence is objecting strongly to paid parking being forced onto its Russell offices, saying there is no need to keep out tourists.
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The department suggests its employees are hard done by, compared to public servants who work on the doorstep of shopping malls.
Defence also reveals it will soon be increasing staff at its Canberra headquarters and taking over the existing ASIO building after the spy agency relocates into its massive new office.
The lack of shops for Defence employees and "infrequent public transport services" means "private transport is necessary to travel to Civic to access retail and personal services", Defence says.
The complaint is put formally in the first submission published by the parliamentary committee holding an inquiry into the decision to introduce paid parking into the parliamentary triangle.
The committee will examine the demand for a minimart and other services for the thousands of workers in the zone who face being charged $2600 a year for parking from July next year, as announced in the budget.
Defence has two establishments within the parliamentary triangle – the offices at Russell and Anzac Park West.
"There are approximately 8,300 Defence APS and ADF personnel currently occupying the buildings located within the Russell precinct," the submission says.
"Defence expects to increase the number of personnel located within the Russell area in the future to achieve greater efficiency by consolidating office/administrative functions into this area.
"Defence is planning to occupy the existing ASIO building (R9) after ASIO relocates to its new building.
"Defence staff who work at Russell offices do not have access to a wide range of retail services.
"Unlike the other major public sector office employment centres within Canberra, such as Civic, Woden Town Centre, Tuggeranong Town Centre and Belconnen Town Centre, there are no comprehensive retail services available within walking proximity of Russell Offices.
"The closest retail services to Russell Offices are located at Civic, over three kilometres away.
"Overall, Defence employees located at Russell Offices are not provided with a comparable level of amenity to people who work in the four other main employment centres in Canberra – Civic, Belconnen, Woden and Tuggeranong.
"The use of private transport is necessary to travel to Civic to access retail and personal services because of the infrequent public transport services available from Russell precinct to Civic outside peak morning and afternoon periods.
"In addition, whereas the four main employment centres use pay parking to moderate parking demand between workers (long-stay) and shoppers (short-stay), at Russell demand consists of worker requirements only.
"Consequently, any argument that pay parking helps ensure demand is balanced between short and long stay does not apply.
"Cultural institutions, such as the National Gallery, are not located within the Russell precinct therefore no competing demands between visitor and worker parking exist for Defence employees.
"Most particularly - in terms of understanding the impact of paid parking on our staff - an APS 6 employee in Defence earns around $2200 per fortnight after tax.
"Consequently, if paid parking was to be introduced at a rate of $11 per day - or $110 per fortnight - this would represent an effective salary decrease for these employees of 5 per cent of take-home pay."
