Bureau of Meteorology Squanders $866 Million on IT Overhaul
- Dr. Andrew Johnson, chief executive of BoM, faced strong criticism from senators during a recent hearing.
- The Robust IT project aimed to enhance technological infrastructure following severe security breaches and cost taxpayers $866 million.
- The bureau's performance in weather forecasting has been called into question, leading to public discontent and financial losses for affected farmers.
During a recent senate environment and communications legislation committee hearing, Dr. Andrew Johnson, the chief executive of the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), faced intense scrutiny over the bureau's $866 million IT upgrade. Initiated following significant cyber security breaches in 2015 and 2016, the Robust IT project concluded in June 2024 with an additional $150 million spent beyond its original budget. Critics highlighted the lack of transparency in the project's execution, and many senators expressed frustration with Dr. Johnson's failure to provide satisfactory responses to previous questions. The project aimed to bolster infrastructure with advanced technologies, including a new supercomputer and upgraded observing systems, although farmers expressed dissatisfaction with the inaccurate weather forecasts that led to financial losses. Despite these setbacks and criticisms regarding toxic workplace culture, Dr. Johnson defended the project's achievements, stating it delivered 90 percent of its intended goals and improved system security and reliability. He also noted that ongoing funding would not be necessary for the program’s transition work. Ultimately, the backlash against the BoM stems from both its considerable financial burden on taxpayers and the significant implications of its forecasting failures, raising questions about the bureau's operational effectiveness and accountability.