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Customs commissions review of ICS debacle

Australian Customs' troubled Integrated Cargo System (ICS) will be reviewed by an independent consultancy after its introduction led to a pile-up of cargo at ports across Australia last year. Customs chief executive officer Michael Carmody announced the review, to be conducted by consultancy Booz Allen Hamilton, would "identify opportunities to maximise the benefits of ICS to both industry and Customs".
Written by Steven Deare, Contributor
Australian Customs' troubled Integrated Cargo System (ICS) will be reviewed by an independent consultancy after its introduction led to a pile-up of cargo at ports across Australia last year.

Customs chief executive officer Michael Carmody announced the review, to be conducted by consultancy Booz Allen Hamilton, would "identify opportunities to maximise the benefits of ICS to both industry and Customs".

Industry would be allowed to contribute to the review process, said Carmody. Many brokers were heavily critical of Customs following implementation problems with ICS.

"Customs and industry worked very closely to address those delays -- a lot of people on both sides deserve recognition for that cooperation," Carmody said.

"The legacy system, COMPILE, was retained as a transitional measure to assist industry. Ongoing work with industry meant this system could be switched off on 3 February 2006.

"This review is about looking to the future. We will share the outcomes with industry and work with it to agree on a way forward," he said.

In a statement, Customs also revealed the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) had initiated an audit of the development and implementation of the Cargo Management Re-engineering project, of which the ICS was a major component.

"Customs will cooperate fully with the ANAO and expects lessons will be learnt as a result of the audit," Carmody said.

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