Department of Defence

$2.03B in Defence contracts awarded via limited tender — minimal competition

Three major Defence contracts worth a combined $2.03 billion were awarded through limited tender, meaning little or no open competition for your money. CPB Contractors picked up $1.54 billion across two infrastructure projects alone, while Thales Australia received $487 million for vehicle fleet logistics — all without a full competitive process. With a third of major capability projects already running behind schedule, this lack of competitive pressure raises serious questions about value for taxpayers.

AusTender — Defence Limited Tender Contracts ↗

$1.8B in ICT contract cost blowouts — your money, Defence's mismanagement

An ANAO audit found Defence's major ICT contracts blew out by an average of 47%, costing taxpayers an extra $1.8 billion above the original contract values. Across the 12 contracts examined — worth $5.6 billion in total — not one had adequate cost controls in place. That's $1.8 billion of your taxes burned through sheer poor contract management.

ANAO: Management of ICT Contracts in Defence (2024) ↗

$54M consulting blowout — 69% over budget, Big 4 firm

Defence paid PricewaterhouseCoopers $54.2 million for LAND 121 Phase 3B logistics support — 69% above the $32 million budgeted. Limited tender procurement. Big 4 firm. No explanation for why the final cost was nearly double the original estimate. Your defence dollar. In PwC fee schedule.

AusTender CN-3945801 ↗