Dr. Peter Stone to Retire from Bureau of Meteorology
Dr. Peter Stone, the chief customer officer and group executive of business solutions at the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), is retiring from the agency. He is scheduled to leave on June 30, 2026, after taking extended leave.
Stone joined the BoM in 2017 after previously working at CSIRO, making him one of the bureau's longest-serving executives. He also briefly served as acting chief executive in October 2023.
His departure comes during ongoing scrutiny of the BoM's digital transformation, specifically the rollout of a redesigned website and the broader technology overhaul that preceded his leave.
Timeline and Background
Stone assumed the role of acting chief executive in October 2023, during which time the BoM launched its new website. The launch was part of a larger $866 million technology overhaul. Stuart Minchin later assumed the permanent chief executive role in November 2023.
Website Cost and Performance
The cost of the new website has been a central point of contention. The project was initially stated to cost $4.1 million, but its final cost was approximately $96.5 million. This included a contract with Accenture that grew from $31 million to $78 million across nine extensions. The website was $47 million over budget and experienced years of delays.
During a 2025 Senate estimates hearing, BoM Chief Information and Technology Officer Nichole Brinsmead defended the contract extensions, stating that the full complexity of the project was not understood at its outset. Testing scores for the site reportedly fell below acceptable standards following its launch.
Public and Government Reaction
The website received public criticism for usability issues, particularly during severe weather events. User complaints focused on the design of the rain radar and other features, prompting the BoM to restore the previous color scheme on rain radar and weather maps. Stone stated at the time that the bureau would "continue to assess options for further updates and improvements."
Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt has asked Dr. Minchin to examine how the website's cost and redesign process went wrong. Watt has publicly stated his expectation that the BoM "spends taxpayers' money efficiently and appropriately" and has expressed support for a change in the bureau's culture and approach.
Legal Matter
In 2024, a Federal Circuit Court found that Stone had provided untruthful evidence regarding a redundancy process. Source 1 reports that a Federal Court found Stone had "deliberately misled the court," while Source 2 specifies the finding occurred in a Federal Circuit Court case regarding a redundancy process.
Statement from the Bureau
A BoM spokesperson confirmed Stone's decision to retire from the organization.