Optus has said that two executives will depart the company after last month’s Triple Zero outage that has been linked to three deaths and before a crucial Senate inquiry into the saga.
The telco’s chief information officer, Mark Potter, will leave Optus next year, as will its chief financial officer and board director Michael Venter. They will be replaced by John McInerney and Andy Giles Knopp respectively.
Optus chief information officer Mark Potter.Credit: Dallas Kilponen
Optus chief executive Stephen Rue said in a statement: “Following long-term and open discussions, Mark has decided that early next year is the right time to leave Optus after four productive years and having laid strong technology foundations for Optus’ transformation plans. I wish him all the best with his next chapter.
“Incoming CIO John McInerney brings a wealth of experience and a proven ability to lead complex transformation programs. I look forward to working with him as we work to evolve our IT capabilities to better serve our customers.
Loading
“Both Michael and Mark will remain with Optus until March 2026 to ensure a smooth transition during this period of substantial change.”
Optus’ handling of the 13-hour Triple Zero outage on September 18 was heavily criticised in the weeks that followed.
The telco raised the alarm only after the incident was over, sending alerts to an incorrect email address at the Department of Communications, as well as understating the severity of the crisis.
Two investigations have been ordered, one by the government’s Australian Communications and Media Authority and the second by Optus’ board, which will be led by Kerry Schott, an NBN director and former Sydney Water chief executive.
Both will be made public.
A push by shadow communications spokesperson Melissa McIntosh to set up a parliamentary inquiry into the outage failed in the House of Representatives. It will almost certainly be established as a Senate inquiry when parliament returns on Monday.
Read the full article here
