What external legal costs, if any, were incurred by any department or entity for which the Minister is responsible in each financial year since 2020/21, broken down by department or entity and by the nature of the legal work (litigation, commercial advice, employment matters, Treaty matters, or other)?

Answer

I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) that, due to the way its financial systems record information, it is unable to provide the information sought by the Member within the timeframe for a written parliamentary question. Providing this information would require substantial effort and the diversion of Ministry personnel from their core duties. In accordance with Speaker’s Ruling 210/6, I consider that the time, and therefore the expense, required to answer this question within the specified timeframe is not in the public interest.