Qld Government IT projects budget blowout

More than a third of the State Government’s IT projects under review have busted their budgets, while over half are taking longer than expected.

More than a third of the Palaszczuk Government’s IT projects reviewed by the state’s Auditor-General have blown out, while more than half are taking longer than expected.

It comes as Auditor-General Brendan Worrall has identified five ways which IT projects can improve after analysing some of the biggest projects.

Axed Qld Health IT project in sights of Auditor-General

Opinion: Report into hospital IT bungle reveals depths of Palaszczuk Govt obfuscation

The Delivering Successful Technology Projects report for 2020–21 found that as at June 30 this year, the budgets of 38 per cent of the 118 projects listed online had blown out.

Meanwhile 53 per cent of the projects had extended their time lines.

LNP innovation and digital economy spokesman Michael Hart said the report shone a light on more IT project blowouts and followed the damning S/4HANA report last week.

“Labor has a track record of wasteful spending and wrong priorities,” he said.

“The LNP has already announced a plan to rein in Labor’s wasteful spending on IT projects, based on recommendations from a previous Auditor-General report.”

But a government spokesman defended the blowouts, saying individual IT projects can expand in scope or improve delivery as new technology is added.

“The Government is always looking for ways to save taxpayer funds which is why the Treasurer has placed a six-month hold on non-essential new ICT projects and reduced the use of external consultancies and contractors by government with a view to ending arrangements where possible,” he said.

“The Government’s savings plan has already helped deliver an extra $320 million in additional savings.

“Deb Frecklington needs to outline what cuts she will deliver to pay for her $24 billion in unfunded promises.”

The five factors identified by the Auditor-General which contribute to successful IT projects include having projects aligned to business outcomes, and a team which has the skills and capacity to match the challenge.