4034 (2026). Hon Dr Megan Woods to the Minister for Energy

4034 (2026). Hon Dr Megan Woods to the Minister for Energy: What date or dates did he receive advice on whether the process outlined in his Cabinet paper, where a delegated group of Ministers make the final decision on the selection of a preferred provider of an LNG import facility falls within the usual scope of procurement?

Hon Simon Watts: I discussed this approach and other aspects of procurement on various occasions during the consideration of the policy proposal with officials, and was advised on this matter at that time. Cabinet has the full authority to delegate decision-making responsibility to individual Ministers or groups of Ministers, as has occurred in this case. While I have received and continue to receive advice on the procurement process, no specific written advice on this point has been received.