What procurement process, if any, was used for purchasing artificial intelligence tools, if any, currently being used within the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any?

Answer

As the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, I am responsible for the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT), which was established on 1 July 2026. MCERT uses some artificial intelligence tools that came from the foundational agencies that came together to form MCERT. These tools have been, or are being, managed through standard procurement, assurance and governance processes, including procurement documentation, security and privacy assessments, internal governance review, and approval in accordance with delegated authorities where required. Copilot Pro licences were acquired as an approved artificial intelligence tool through a one-off purchase order with an existing Microsoft licensing supplier under an existing contractual arrangement. No separate procurement process was undertaken for that purchase.