Overview
- At a late-night Senate estimates hearing, Bureau of Meteorology chief Stuart Minchin confirmed the website cost about $96–96.5 million as part of the broader Robust technology program.
- Minchin said overall program costs rose roughly 15 percent, citing COVID contingencies, and noted a recent external gateway review gave the program a green light.
- Greens Senator Barbara Pocock alleged 'land and expand' tactics by consultants, pointing to an Accenture tranche that increased from $33 million to $77 million after 10 contract amendments.
- Environment Minister Murray Watt said the case underscores the need for tighter oversight of consultants and greater use of public-sector capability.
- The bureau acknowledged usability complaints about the redesigned site but highlighted delivered security and infrastructure upgrades, including a new supercomputer and more secure hosting.