IBAC probe into Vic education IT project

IBAC's INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED CORRUPTION IN VICTORIAN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

WHAT IS ULTRANET?

* An online learning portal to link teachers, students and parents

* Rolled out to schools in May 2010 but scrapped in 2013 because of its many failings

WHAT DID IBAC INVESTIGATE?

* How contracts were tendered and awarded

* Connections between department employees and businesses involved in Ultranet project

* Whether department employees released confidential information, or influenced procurement processes

* Whether payments, gifts, travel, employment opportunities or other benefits were received by staff due to involvement in Ultranet tender or procurement processes

THE SAGA UNFOLDS

2004

* Ultranet trial using software from US giant Oracle at Glen Waverley Secondary College

* College principal Darrell Fraser promoted to education department as a deputy secretary

2006

* Victorians promised $60.5 million IT project to link teachers, students and parents

2007

* Tender released

* All bids over $100 million; tender cancelled, project reduced

* Cinglevue Pty Ltd is registered, part-owned by a former Glen Waverley Secondary College staffer

2008

* Darwin-based IT firm CSG Limited acquires Cinglevue for $5 million

* Second tender to develop Ultranet released

2009

* CSG suspended from bidding in February pending legal action by a competitor

* CSG again allowed to bid in May

* Contract with CSG signed in July

2010

* Students get day off when Ultranet is launched so teachers can get accustomed to it, but it crashes

* All-day presentation with singing and dancing to introduce principals to IT system costs the department $1.4 million, signed off by Darrell Fraser

2011

* Internal report confirms four senior officers bought CSG shares

* Fraser resigns as deputy secretary and takes on job with CSG

* New education secretary Richard Bolt refers CSG share buying to ASIC

* Education department's Ultranet officer, Dianne Peck, accepts job at CSG

2012

* ASIC decides not to investigate CSG share trading

* Auditor-general reports costs of Ultranet reached $180 million and finds serious problems with tender

2013

* Liberal government scraps the project

2015

* Former department assistant general manager Jeff Rosewarne in May resigns as director at Catholic Education

* Former acting deputy secretary John Allman sacked over admission he destroyed documents relating to education department's use of banker schools when he became aware the watchdog was sniffing around

* Former department finance manager Nino Napoli sacked after a corruption investigation into allegations that 17 companies linked to him and his family received $2.5 million from state schools between 2007 and 2014

* Auditor-general releases scathing report that reveals systemic failings within Victoria's Department of Education and Training

2016

* Regional director Matt Dunkley suspended following evidence aired during IBAC hearings into misconduct relating to the Ultranet project

* 39 witnesses questioned in public hearings relating to allegations of corruption linked to Ultranet project.