The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has revealed that the total cost of its controversial website redesign has reached $96.5 million, far exceeding the previously stated $4.1 million for the public-facing aspect. The new chief executive, Dr Stuart Minchin, disclosed the figure on Sunday, prompting Environment Minister Murray Watt to demand an explanation.
Minister Watt told ABC News Breakfast on Monday that he was 'not happy' with the cost blowout and had shared his concerns with Dr Minchin. 'I'm looking forward to a bit of a change in the culture and the approach of the BoM,' he said, adding that he expects the new CEO to manage budgets 'properly' and investigate 'what happened here'.
Dr Minchin explained that the $96.5 million includes the $4.1 million for the front-end redesign, with the remainder covering the rebuilding and testing of underlying systems and technology to ensure security and stability. The bureau provided a breakdown: $79.8 million for the primary channels platform and website build, and $12.6 million for additional features, security testing, and launch preparation.
The redesign, part of a larger $866 million IT overhaul following a 2015 cyber intrusion, has faced criticism since its launch last month. BoM apologised and made swift changes after users struggled to find familiar functions. Consulting firm Accenture received $78 million for the website work, up from an original $31 million contract, while Deloitte was paid $35 million, up from $11 million.
Nationals leader David Littleproud called for consequences, describing the blowout as 'unbelievable' and a 'Labor disaster'. A scheduled update to improve the rain radar and weather map was paused due to Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina in the Northern Territory, with Dr Minchin stating it would proceed once severe weather subsides.
