Bureau of Meteorology asked to explain why new website cost $92 million more than reported

Monday, 24 November 2025 15:07

The federal government has asked the Bureau of Meteorology to explain why the total bill for their unpopular new website cost $92 million more than the agency previously stated.

The Bureau's new chief, Stuart Minchin, yesterday revealed that the project had cost $96.5 million rather than $4.1 million, which was only the cost of redesigning the front-end of the website.

The total figure includes a $78 million contract for Accenture Australia.

Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt

"The remaining cost reflects the significant investment required to fully rebuild and test the systems and technology that underpin the website, making sure it is secure and stable and can draw in the huge amounts of data gathered from our observing network and weather models," Minchin said in a statement.

Environment Minister Murray Watt, who oversees the Bureau of Meteorology, today said he was "not happy" to learn of the blowout.

"The initial figure that the BoM provided in the range of $4 million was for one aspect of the website development," he told ABC.

"It's a matter for them why they chose to provide that figure rather than a broader figure.

"But there's no doubt that there have been increases in the cost of this website as it's been developed, and one of the things I have asked the new CEO of the BoM to get on top of is what happened here."

Watt has met with Minchin twice since he took on the Bureau's top role a fortnight ago, first to raise concerns about criticisms of the new website and a second time to discuss the total cost figures.

"I'm looking forward to a bit of a change in the culture and the approach of the BoM," he said, throwing his support behind Minchin to "get on top of this and drive some change".

"If there are lessons around future procurements that are needed, then we need to know what they are."

The federal government has asked the Bureau of Meteorology to explain why the total bill for their unpopular new website cost $92 million more than the agency previously stated.

The Bureau of Meteorology's website, which is one of the most visited sites in Australia, was last upgraded under Kevin Rudd's first term as prime minister and found to have vulnerabilities after a cyber intrusion in 2015.

The redesigned website went live on October 22 under former chief Andrew Johnson and was met with heavy criticism over usability issues, including difficulties finding features, and complaints about the rain radar and weather map.

The federal government ordered the Bureau of Meteorology to fix the website, with some changes already made.

Minchin said a website update was scheduled to go live last week, but was postponed due to the severe Tropical Cyclone Fina off the Northern Territory coast.

The update will respond directly to community feedback received during the beta phase, with a focus on making the rain radar and weather map easier to use.

It will also include video tutorials, website help and troubleshooting to help users navigate the site.

Dr Stuart Minchin, new chief executive of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

"Given this [$96.5 million] investment, it's vital we get it right," he said in a statement.

"I want to assure you that our dedicated teams are working hard to continue delivering website updates and improvements as quickly as possible."

The Bureau of Meteorology's new website update will be rescheduled as soon as the severe weather subsides, with a date to be announced soon.

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