3306 (2026). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for the Environment

3306 (2026). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for the Environment: How much, if any, have the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, budgeted for the carbon neutral government programme for the 2026 calendar year?

Hon Penny Simmonds: The Environmental Protection Authority - along with most other government entities - typically budgets on a financial year running 1 July to 30 June. The Budget for the carbon neutral government programme for the 2026 calendar year is $6,100. This includes $3,000 for the Toitu audit and $3,100 for the annual membership fee. I am advised the Ministry for the Environment has budgeted $182,603 for the 2026 calendar year, up to 30 June 2026. The period July–December 2026 falls within the 2026/27 financial year, for which business planning has not yet been completed. As a result, budget information for that portion of the 2026 calendar year is not yet available.