Public Service Commissioner investigates withheld information on $33m immigration tech failure

Sir Brian Roche has opened a formal investigation into whether MBIE officials deliberately withheld information about the Biometric Capability Update project, a $33 million immigration technology programme terminated without delivering its intended capability. The probe follows an independent review that found gaps between an urgent November 2023 review of the project's financial position and a March 2024 report to the minister. The allegation concerns obligations under the Public Service Act 2020 requiring officials to be responsive and honest with ministers.