Cencus 2016 shutdown blame

IBM Australia Managing Director Kerry Purcell speaks during a Senate Estimates hearing into the Census at Parliament House in Canberra, Source: AAP

The federal Opposition says the Turnbull government should take full responsibility for the 2016 census failure. But the Australian Bureau of Statistics, computer giant, IBM and an Internet Service Provider have worn the blame during a Senate Committee hearing in Canberra.

Labor Assistant Treasurer Andrew Leigh says he's not satisfied with the government's response to the census website 40-hour shutdown.

The online meltdown cost the government $30 million and left thousands of Australians frustrated at their keyboards.

Mr Leigh says it's unclear what oversight procedures were in place.

He's told the ABC, it's clear the ministers responsible weren't actively managing the process.