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What advice, if any, has the Minister received on the operational and national-security risks of reducing staff numbers in national security and intelligence agencies, given those agencies are exempt from baseline savings but are still subject to the full-time-equivalent reduction in Budget 2026, and will the Minister release that advice?

Answered Question 24283 (2026)
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Asked by

Vanushi Walters

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • What advice, if any, has the Minister received on the operational and national-security risks of reducing staff numbers in national security and intelligence agencies, given those agencies are exempt from baseline savings but are still subject to the full-time-equivalent reduction in Budget 2026, and will the Minister release that advice?

Answered by

Rt Hon Christopher Luxon

Member for Botany · National Party · Minister for National Security and Intelligence

Answer

In my capacity as Minister for National Security and Intelligence, I do not have ministerial responsibility for any agencies nor am I a Vote Minister. In my capacity as Prime Minister I am the responsible minister for the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Vote Minister for Prime Minister and Cabinet. I refer the member to my response to WPQ 21182 (2026) provided in my capacity as the Prime Minister.