A leaked report has revealed the Government department tasked with sorting out computer blunders in the public service is facing its own multi-million dollar meltdown.
Internal Affairs wanted to digitise government archives, but three years and $7 million on they've axed it.
Colin MacDonald, the boss of Internal Affairs, walked away from media today because he's also the Government's chief information officer - in charge of sorting out IT problems and has been left red-faced after a leaked document revealed his own department's IT project has failed.
Minister Chris Tremain is not impressed.
"I don't think this has been good value for money for the taxpayer," he says.
The report reveals the Government's plan to digitise its archives is in disarray. With a $12 million dollar budget they've spent $7 million but it's all gone wrong, and need $10 million more to finish it – which will take an extra four to five years.
But the minister admitted it's been put in the too-hard basket and axed.
The leaked report reveals 39 red flags, saying the project is forecast to "blow out", morale is low, and there's been poor communication.
This from the very department the Government has charged with getting IT projects across the public sector under control after disasters like Novopay.
"It is an appalling irony that the Department of Internal Affairs is responsible for IT projects right across Government, [but] they can't even manage their own IT projects," says Labour's Grant Robertson.
After Novopay, the Government made Internal Affairs its IT watchdog, but behind the scenes it's been facing its own systems meltdown.
It comes with Internal Affairs about to oversee the biggest Government computer upgrade ever - the $1.5 billion IRD overhaul.
3 News
source: newshub archive
