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AEC's election donation system cost jumps to $70.8m

The Australian Electoral Commission's outsourced election donation system cost has jumped. It went from $30 million to $70.8 million since January.

The AEC hired Accenture to build a system for managing political donations. The initial contract was worth $30 million.

Three changes lifted the cost to $70.8 million. The latest change started July 1 and was worth nearly $28 million.

The AEC says the program is split into separate work packages. These are being released step by step, with more to come.

The Commission refused to disclose the total final budget, saying it is commercial in confidence. The contract runs through mid-2028 with a possible extra year.

$30 million in January: Initial contract value
$70.8 million as of mid-July: Current total
Nearly $28 million starting July 1: Latest variation
Accenture as ICT delivery partner: Contractor

Why it mattersAustralian voters deserve to know how government money is spent. This is especially important for systems that manage political donations and electoral integrity.

AustraliaAustralians funding and depending on electoral systems have no way to know what the final bill will be for this major reform.

✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 4 d ago

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✓ region.com.auPower & Policy

Geoscience Australia forms First Nations advisory committee

Geoscience Australia has appointed its first Indigenous advisory group. It will shape the agency's work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Why it mattersFederal agencies rarely give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples formal power to make decisions. This sets an example for others to follow. It gives First Nations communities real input on how their Country is studied and managed.