Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Ellison, the Minister for Justice and Customs. It concerns the new Customs computer system and the independent audit report handed down last Friday. Can the minister confirm that he authorised the IT project to proceed without a fixed budget? Can the minister also confirm that he oversaw the estimated cost of the project escalating from $30 million to over $205 million worth of taxpayers’ funds? When did the minister first become aware of the major problems experienced with this project? What action did he personally take to protect taxpayers’ interests? What responsibility does he, as the relevant portfolio minister, now take for this botched project and the massive cost to taxpayers?