VIC:Ryan gives Overland muted support

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2011
VIC:Ryan gives Overland muted support

MELBOURNE, April 20 AAP - Victoria's police minister has expressed muted support for
Chief Commissioner Simon Overland after the force said it needs a further $100 million
to upgrade its computer system.

Victoria Police will put together a fresh business case about their needs and a bid
for more funding to replace the troubled LEAP system.

They say a further $100 million would need to be spent on a new LINK system, on top
of an existing $100 million cost blowout.

Police Minister Peter Ryan said he had faith in Mr Overland but it had been a trying time.

When asked later whether the chief commissioner was doing a good job he replied: "I
have faith in Simon Overland but it's been a testing week."

The former Labor government announced $61 million of start-up funds for the LINK project in 2005.

Mr Ryan said the government would not spend another "cracker" on a new system until
it was satisfied a detailed business case was presented.

"They have had about four goes at this and they still can't get this right," he said.

"Unlike the former Labor government, we are not going to have more money poured into
this project, which is akin to tipping water down a well.

"We are not going to put another cent into this, not another red cent, until such time
that we know where the money that has been spent already has in fact gone, let alone where
any future money is to be directed."

Mr Ryan said advice from accounting firm KPMG was that out of $60 million allocated
by the former Labor government, about $45 million had already been spent.

AAP mj/gfr/nb

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