What amount, if any, was spent on establishing the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) by the Ministry for the Environment, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the Ministry of Transport or the Department of Internal Affairs before MCERT was established on 1 July 2026?

Answer

I am advised that much of the work required to establish the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT) was undertaken by staff from the foundational agencies, with those costs absorbed by the agencies as part as of delivering this priority work. The former Ministry of Housing and Urban Development spent a total of $532,589 on MCERT establishment-related activities, the former Ministry of Transport spent $83,123 on MCERT establishment-related activities, and the former Ministry for the Environment spent $81,400 on MCERT establishment-related activities. The Department of Internal Affairs did not incur any expenditure on MCERT establishment-related activities. I am also advised that the Public Service Commission is expected to incur approximately $700,000 in directly sourced establishment costs relating to MCERT.