Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce's agriculture department has already contracted real estate agents to secure office space in Armidale for 175 public servants relocating from Canberra.
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The transfer of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to Mr Joyce's own electorate of New England continues despite a refusal to release a $272,000 cost-benefit analysis.
Tender documents reveal JLL Corporate Solutions will facilitate the move with public servants set to arrive in Armidale by late 2018. The 2500 square metre office must have a minimum 30 parking spaces access to 100 more.
The appointment has been made despite Treasurer Scott Morrison revealing the relocation was still being considered by cabinet, including the findings of the cost benefit analysis.
In question time last week, Labor's agriculture spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon asked Mr Morrison whether it was "government policy not to release a competing cost benefit analysis", and how much the document cost.
Mr Morrison said the analysis cost $272,000 and "the matter is for cabinet consideration".
Industry groups including the National Farmers Federation, CropLife Australia and Animal Medicines Australia have opposed the move along with the opposition and workplace unions, which raised concerns about a loss of institutional knowledge.
Mr Fitzgibbon said the appointment of JLL Corporate Solutions was "extraordinary" given cabinet was still considering the cost-benefit analysis.
"It is extraordinary that after Scott Morrison's statements last week indicating this is anything but a done deal, [Mr Joyce] asked his department to proceed with an arrangement like this," he said.
But Mr Joyce said cabinet was "committed to the election policy".
"The only issues for cabinet to resolve are the best and most cost-effective model for the relocation to ensure minimal interruption; and to ensure the APVMA is best positioned to provide improved services into the future," he said.
Tender documents reveal the department is "under no obligation" to act on tenancy offers and reserves the right to enter into negotiations with multiple parties.
Mr Joyce said the decentralisation of government services was "enthusiastically embraced by communities nationwide" who "championed more government and private sector locations to regional areas."
Mr Fitzgibbon, along with ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr, has accused Mr Joyce of pork barrelling election commitments.
Mr Joyce has insisted any relocation would be voluntary.
"They'll be relocating … but the choice is theirs," he said when announcing the move in June. "There is some apprehensiveness from some, there always is.
"We're not asking people to move to Kathmandu or Timbuktu."
