What cost pressures within their relevant portfolio Votes, if any, was the Minister informed of prior to Budget 2026 - listing any advice received on this by date and title?

Answer

I was not informed of any cost pressures in relation to Vote Internal Affairs prior to the submission of Budget 2026 initiatives. However, on 26 March 2026, I received a briefing from the Department of Internal Affairs titled Machinery of Government changes – financial implications on stranded costs and mitigation options associated with the transfer of the Government Chief Digital Officer and Local Government functions to the Public Service Commission and the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions, and Transport respectively.