Monday 9th Aug 1999
Patricia Schnauer
Media Release -- Justice

IBM's dumping of the Incis computer system has today left taxpayers with a $130 million white elephant.

ACT Justice Spokesman Patricia Schnauer said Incis had been a litany of bungling and waste that had wasted well over $130 million that should have been spent on keeping New Zealanders safe in their homes.

"There must be a full inquiry into the Incis debacle before one more taxpayer dollar is spent on it. Government must wait until the findings of that inquiry are released before any further spending on the project.

"Its no wonder morale in the Police is low. They are battling away with limited resources while Government and Police hierarchy have blown $100 million on a computer that doesn't work.

"Police hierarchy and successive Ministers have trumpeted Incis as the salvation for the force. In fact, they have used it as an excuse to do nothing about Police reform.

"This type of Government waste and mismanagement of taxpayers hard earned money is disgraceful. If company directors spent shareholders money with such a lack of accountability they would probably be sued.

"Taxpayers could now also be hit by a massive bill from IBM as it moves to recover its costs from this contract.

The Incis project was initially put to Richard Prebble as Minister of Police for approval. He rejected the project and it did not proceed until National became Government. National reversed Richard Prebble's earlier decision and gave the green light for Incis to proceed," said Patricia Schnauer.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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