Skip to main content

On what date, if at all, did the Minister first receive advice from the Government Chief Digital Officer, the Public Service Commissioner, the Privacy Commissioner, Treasury, or any other agency regarding the feasibility, cost, delivery risk, timeframes, and limitations of substituting AI tools for the roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, and what did that advice say, and will the Minister release it, broken down by agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for which the Minister is responsible?

Answered Question 21188 (2026)
Question published
Reply lodged

Asked by

Camilla Belich

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • On what date, if at all, did the Minister first receive advice from the Government Chief Digital Officer, the Public Service Commissioner, the Privacy Commissioner, Treasury, or any other agency regarding the feasibility, cost, delivery risk, timeframes, and limitations of substituting AI tools for the roles being disestablished as part of savings made in Budget 2026 for votes the Minister is responsible for, if any, and what did that advice say, and will the Minister release it, broken down by agency, department, Crown entity, company, or other organisation for which the Minister is responsible?

Answered by

Hon Paul Goldsmith

List MP · National Party · Minister for Media and Communications

Answer

As Minister for Media and Communications, I am not responsible for any Votes. Budget spending for this portfolio falls under Vote Business, Science and Innovation, and Vote Arts, Culture and Heritage. With regard to advice received by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, I refer the member to the Minister responsible for its Vote, the Minister for Economic Growth’s answer to written parliamentary question 21230 (2026). With regard to advice received by the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, I refer the member to the lead portfolio for its Vote, my answer as Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, to written parliamentary question 20951 (2026).