Overview
- The Bureau confirmed the total outlay at about $96.5 million, including $4.1 million for the front end, $79.8 million for the build largely delivered by Accenture, and $12.6 million for launch and security testing.
- Environment Minister Murray Watt said he was not initially told the scale of the expense and has directed CEO Stuart Minchin to review the procurement and rollout and report back.
- Minchin framed the spend as a broader technology hardening following a 2015 cyber intrusion, with the program scoped in 2017 and funded by Cabinet, and noted delays and roughly a 15% increase over earlier estimates.
- After heavy user backlash over navigation and radar readability, the bureau restored the previous radar view and plans further fixes once severe weather linked to Cyclone Fina passes.
- Political pressure has intensified, with Nationals leaders calling for consequences and Labor ministers labeling the blowout unacceptable while backing leadership changes to improve culture and transparency.