Sometimes the internet is slow and you need a bit extra ... Like when you're at the 55th Pacific Island Forum Leaders' meeting in Palau.
AusTender filings show the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is paying the local (state-owned) internet provider, Palau National Communications Corporation, a whopping $46,530.76 for a "bandwidth increase".
The limited tender will run through the end of 2026, costing more than $11,000 a month for the temporary Wi-Fi boost.
A DFAT spokesperson confirmed Australia was providing communications assistance for the meeting in Palau.
"The PIF is the Pacific's premier political institution and the Leaders' Meeting brings together Pacific leaders, officials, international partners, media and support personnel from across the region," the spokesperson said.
"This places additional demand on local telecommunications networks."
The assistance was provided following a request from the Palau government.
The upgrade arrived amid a rocky summit backdrop, with five of the forum's 18 members skipping the gathering amid friction over Beijing's unhappiness with Taiwan's participation.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese might have hoped that the trip to Palau would have offered a brief reprieve to trade the Canberra suit and tie for short-sleeved tropical prints in the Pacific sunshine.
Instead, the Prime Minister and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen had fiery exchanges with journalists over the taxpayer-funded pre-COP event in Fiji and Tuvalu.
Challenged about the low turnout after Fijian officials had said only five global leaders would attend, Mr Bowen said pre-COP events in Brazil, Dubai or Egypt had never featured leaders.
"When you get to Fiji, you'll see who's there," Mr Bowen said.
Mr Albanese also clashed with reporters who questioned the $20 million outlay relative to expected leader attendance.
"With respect, you are being so disrespectful to the Pacific leaders who are here," he said.
Opposition energy spokesperson Dan Tehan pounced, immediately calling the event an embarrassing $150 million talkfest.
Mr Tehan said Mr Bowen had set up Tuvalu as a leaders-level event and was now trying to pretend otherwise.
Instead of spending millions on luxury hotels for politicians, public servants and activists, the minister should focus on delivering cheaper power bills at home, he said.
Mr Tehan also criticised the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet for rejecting freedom-of-information requests seeking the guest list on the grounds of "sensitive diplomatic considerations".
Canberra's anti-corruption watchdogs and public-sector leaders are preparing to gather at the National Convention Centre from September 7 for the start of the three-day Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference 2026.
The program is scheduled to kick off with $650 full-day deep dives into corruption prevention and specialised investigation training.
Over the next two days, the conference is scheduled to cover high-risk areas including procurement and contract management, artificial intelligence decision-making, political donations and whistleblower protections.
The speaker roster features prominent public-sector names such as Attorney General Michelle Rowland, ACT Integrity Commissioner Michael Adams, Services Australia chief executive David Hazlehurst and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) secretary Victoria Anderson.
Public Eye suspects delegates will be paying close attention during the procurement and automated decision-making panels in particular, given the wave of procurement mishaps and controversy over the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) decision-making process.
The search for the next chair of the National Capital Authority (NCA) has officially begun, but whoever lands the top job will have to prepare for a federal inquiry into its Hume Circle Precinct plans.
Current chair Terry Weber's term was scheduled to end in early January 2027, after having occupied the position for more than a decade.
According to the job listing, the federal government is looking for a leader with strong governance credentials, with federal Territories Minister Kristy McBain calling the appointment "an opportunity to build on the strong leadership at the National Capital Authority".
Applications are scheduled to close on September 16, with Canberra-based executive recruiters Beaumont & Beaumont tasked with the hiring process.
Whoever takes the helm will have to deal with community fallout over the authority's controversial proposal around crash-prone Hume Circle roundabout in Griffith, including revelations of behind-the-scenes developer talks held years before public disclosure.
The friction surrounding the proposal prompted a formal referral to the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories to investigate the NCA's consultation methods and planning frameworks.
Public Eye suggests the next chair needs both urban planning expertise and a very thick skin.
The Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) has unveiled a new set of coordinated contracting arrangement principles to bring future whole-of-government tech deals to heel, following a strategic review into single-seller arrangements.
The framework has set out new rules for prospective mega-vendors, requiring prospective sellers to prove they can deliver capability at scale, contribute to local economic benefits, strengthen national sovereignty, and explicitly preserve technology choice for Australian agencies.
The rules target industry dissatisfaction with vendor-lock in and costly mega contracts. Consultation with federal agencies and sellers revealed a desire for dynamic pricing and flexibility such as easy license reallocation and scaling.
DTA deputy chief executive Simon Quarrell said: "The new principles set clearer expectations and will help to make sure government investment delivers stronger economic outcomes."
"These principles will increase transparency and accountability while creating new opportunities for Australian technology companies to participate in global supply chains," Mr Quarrell said.
With whole-of-government deals now having to deliver public value rather than discounts, Public Eye suspects that big tech sales representatives may find pitching mega-deals to bureaucrats a tougher gig.
When Royal Australian Air Force pilots pull high G-force manoeuvres in the cockpit, standard gym exercises and routines do not cut it.
The Defence department has awarded a two-year $310,244 contract to fitness specialist Michael John Hetherington to serve as a physical preparation coach.
Mr Hetherington was brought in to support the air force's "Fighter Fit" initiative, a multidisciplinary conditioning and injury-prevention program for fast-jet aircrew.
A Defence spokesperson said, "The highly successful program is delivered by Air Force physical training instructors and supported by civilian specialists with expertise in physical preparation and high-performance environments."
In 2017, the program was developed in collaboration with the Institute of Aviation Medicine and Air Combat Group to reduce neck and spinal injuries experienced by air force aircrew flying high-G aircraft.
