NT inquiry links toxic department culture to costly Acacia health IT failures

The Northern Territory Public Accounts Committee released an extensive report on the Acacia health-record initiative, describing the culture inside the Department of Corporate and Digital Development as “toxic” and damaging to staff morale. The $335 million system, intended to replace legacy platforms and unify NT Health records, has stalled after more than a decade and multiple budget overruns. The death by suicide of Shaun Joyce, who served as director of solution delivery, was presented by his sister Kara Joyce as evidence of systemic management breakdowns.

Witnesses described the project environment as stressful, demanding and thankless, with a turnover rate that eroded institutional knowledge and forced costly recruitment cycles. Leadership’s reluctance to address concerns allowed unresolved issues to fester, while the heavy reliance—around 80 %—on contractors created insecurity and fear of retaliation. The committee expressed concern that the same culture could reappear and issued 11 recommendations, notably urging the DCDD to improve contractor induction on health and safety rights and to enforce stricter cost controls. The DCDD has been asked for comment.