This is absolutely ludicrous. How on earth did the Labor government manage to spend $96m (the original estimate was $4.1m) on a revamp of the Bureau of Meteorology website??? Not only that, how can the Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt claim to not know how it happened? The zinger is that because of the problems with the new design of the website, they’re going to revert back to the old design, so who knows how much more that’ll cost taxpayers? This is insane!

https://www.9news.com.au/national/bureau-of-meteorology-asked-to-explain-why-bill-for-new-website-92-million-more-than-reported/9b6e3888-2780-4a24-acef-c4333477a945

Already a thread on this:

see here:

https://www.ozpolitic.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1763937744

Armchair_Politician wrote on Nov 24^th, 2025 at 3:15pm:

This is absolutely ludicrous. How on earth did the Labor government manage to spend $96m (the original estimate was $4.1m) on a revamp of the Bureau of Meteorology website??? Not only that, how can the Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt claim to not know how it happened? The zinger is that because of the problems with the new design of the website, they’re going to revert back to the old design, so who knows how much more that’ll cost taxpayers? This is insane! https://www.9news.com.au/national/bureau-of-meteorology-asked-to-explain-why-bill-for-new-website-92-million-more-than-reported/9b6e3888-2780-4a24-acef-c4333477a945

Even $4.1M seems outrageously excessive.

None of this adds up.

greggerypeccary wrote on Nov 24^th, 2025 at 5:39pm:

Armchair_Politician wrote on Nov 24th, 2025 at 3:15pm: This is absolutely ludicrous. How on earth did the Labor government manage to spend $96m (the original estimate was $4.1m) on a revamp of the Bureau of Meteorology website??? Not only that, how can the Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt claim to not know how it happened? The zinger is that because of the problems with the new design of the website, they’re going to revert back to the old design, so who knows how much more that’ll cost taxpayers? This is insane! https://www.9news.com.au/national/bureau-of-meteorology-asked-to-explain-why-bill-for-new-website-92-million-more-than-reported/9b6e3888-2780-4a24-acef-c4333477a945 Even $4.1M seems outrageously excessive. None of this adds up.

It would be difficult to cover live weather maps for every section of Australia and then add forcast data for all those areas on top. Depending on what they had to do a few M may be close to the mark. The data involved would be mind boggling. But certainly not 100M that is stupid.

Bureau of Meteorology boss reveals website rebuild 'approved and funded' by Turnbull government >:(

Brian Ross wrote on Nov 24^th, 2025 at 9:45pm:

Bureau of Meteorology boss reveals website rebuild 'approved and funded' by Turnbull government >:(

So Turnbull allocated $4 million for it not $96 million?

Bobby. wrote on Nov 24^th, 2025 at 9:47pm:

Brian Ross wrote on Nov 24th, 2025 at 9:45pm: Bureau of Meteorology boss reveals website rebuild 'approved and funded' by Turnbull government >:( So Turnbull allocated $4 million for it not $96 million?

Even $4.1m is too much for a website revamp.

Maybe $90m was given to the Media for promo and marketing?
Just like $450m was for the Voice reffo.

I actually rang Minister Murray Watts office and asked.

According to the assistant the minister has no oversight or authority over the BOM and it’s a matter for the “new” CEO ( she repeatedly said the “ new” CEO) to explain.

The CEO of the BOM makes budget allocation decisions for the BOM.

So basically no politicians have any control over the matter and refuse to accept any responsibility.

Nothing to see here.

Very similar to  bill shorten million dollar speeches.

He had nothing to do with it except read them.


Pass the buck down the line is a industry in politics.

Yeah, but that sounds like a forward pass. Someone needs to blow the whistle on this.
It's an all too common occurrence now like a bad habit.
It's like that Aboriginal Flag pole on the harbour bridge. Wasn't that $29m or something? Like, K'MON !🤨

Armchair_Politician wrote on Nov 25^th, 2025 at 6:39am:

Bobby. wrote on Nov 24th, 2025 at 9:47pm: Brian Ross wrote on Nov 24th, 2025 at 9:45pm: Bureau of Meteorology boss reveals website rebuild 'approved and funded' by Turnbull government >:( So Turnbull allocated $4 million for it not $96 million? Even $4.1m is too much for a website revamp.

There are tens of thousands of pieces of data collection equipment over thousands of sites. The update included security hardening of this equipment following an attack that took place. Hardware upgrades on thousands of sites. It would be expensive.

Next year the 'upgrade' will be upgraded to cost $111m.

Jasin wrote on Nov 25^th, 2025 at 11:12pm:

Next year the 'upgrade' will be upgraded to cost $111m.

Yep - heard it on the radio today -
they are gunna spend a lot more.