Additional Comments by Senator Nick Xenophon
Independent Senator for South Australia
In 2011, I could not support the Coalition’s Defence Force
Retirement and Death Benefits Amendment (Fair Indexation) Bill 2010 due to
combined concerns over the affordability of such a measure, together with the
potential of funding it through savings in Defence. In particular I raised
concerns over the expenditure and efficacy relating to the Defence Materiel
Organisation (DMO).
As a result of discussions with the Federal Government, the
terms of reference to this inquiry were amended to allow for the examination of
the effectiveness of the DMO, particularly in terms of its role, function,
structure, cost and output.
1.1
DMO is responsible for the acquisition and sustainment of Defence
capital equipment and to ensure that it achieves value-for-money project
results. Failure to deliver cost effective projects has a direct impact on the
funds available to support Australia’s current and former serving men and
women.
1.2
This inquiry is not the first time Australia’s Defence procurement
procedures have come under scrutiny, with five major reviews into procurement
having taken place since 2003. This poses the question: how many more reviews
must take place before meaningful and sustainable reform into procurement
procedures is implemented?
1.3
Public confidence in Defence procurement will continue to be tested if
projects continue to be scrapped years after their approval and only after
billions of dollars worth of wasted expenditure. I hope that Defence, and in
particular DMO, will take the findings of the Committee’s report as an
opportunity to implement much needed sustainable reform.
1.4
The savings that could be obtained through reducing Defence wastage are
astounding. For example, the Committee heard that had the Super Seasprite
helicopter project been given the proper scrutiny at the project’s inception,
$1.4 billion could have been saved.[1]
It borders on incomprehensible that so much money can be spent with so little
outcome for Australia and our Defence capabilities.
1.5
Given the total budgeted costs in the 2011-12 Major Projects Report have
increased by 20 percent (after the projects had already received second pass
approval), it is imperative that projects receive proper assessment and
scrutiny early in their inception. DMO’s belief that all of these projects are ‘delivering
capability within the approved budget’ despite the large increase is
further cause for concern.[2]
1.6
Project costs cannot continue to be obscured in Defence White Papers,
and the current practice of providing little detail about projects above $1.5
billion in value must be reversed. From a public policy point of view that
appears to be perverse. The public must be able to make an informed decision as
to whether current and future projects represent value for money.[3]
I endorse the Committee’s recommendations regarding the 2013 White Paper and
encourage Defence to take a more transparent approach to their reporting.
1.7
The majority report identified many of the factors that contributed to
project failures, including misunderstandings between DMO, Capability Managers
and contractors. The Committee heard evidence that when legitimate disputes
regarding DMO arise, (for example by way of an adversarial approach taken by a
DMO employee) the primary mechanism to deal with such issues is for management
to have an ‘open door policy’ in relation to complaints.[4]
However I believe that a more formal and proactive approach should be taken by
management to address misunderstandings, particularly those that arise as a
result of behavioural issues.
1.8
One contributing factor to cost blowouts and project failure is the
inadequate management of risk. It appears that the multiple risk management
guidelines and handbooks available to Defence staff, including DMO employees,
have been unsuccessful in achieving substantial risk mitigation. This suggests
that a different approach to implementing risk management policies should be
taken, perhaps by way of a greater emphasis on individual accountability.
1.9
It is clear that although Defence responded positively to the
recommendations made by Kinnard and Mortimer and accepted that DMO
accountability needed to be clarified through Material Acquisition Agreements,
more specific agreements regarding risk management responsibility are required.[5]
Boundaries and tasks need to be clearly defined, and tasks need to be aligned
with the authority and resources necessary to execute them.
1.10
Until such time as Defence procurement procedures are strengthened by
minimising risk, improving communication, fostering a culture of accountability
and improving project cost transparency, Defence will continue to run the risk
of expensive and embarrassing project delays, cost blowouts and failures. The
Federal Government must take additional steps to eliminate wastage in Defence
so that we are better able to meet the critical requirements of Defence
preparedness, the needs of service men and women and the long term interests of
Australian tax payers.
Senator Nick Xenophon
IND, South Australia
Navigation: Previous Page | Contents | Next Page