13720 (2025). Camilla Belich to the Minister of Justice

13720 (2025). Camilla Belich to the Minister of Justice: What is the total amount, if any, spent on external legal advice or law firms by any agencies under the Minister’s responsibility since 27 November 2023, broken down by firm and purpose?

Hon Paul Goldsmith: Corrected reply: I have been advised that the Ministry has incurred $1.496 million of departmental external legal advice from 1 November 2023 to 28 February 2025. The purpose cannot be completed within the timeframes provided under the WPQ process without risk of breaching legal profession privilege. The Member is welcome to submit an Official Information Act request to the Ministry for this information. I refer the Member to attachment 1 for the list of providers.