13942 (2025). Camilla Belich to the Minister for Vocational Education

13942 (2025). Camilla Belich to the Minister for Vocational Education: 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 Penny Simmonds: The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) spent $604,426 on external legal advice or law firms since 27 November 2023. Please see attached table for full breakdown of amounts spent. TEC does not have an in-house legal team. TEC uses Buddle Findlay for all legal advice, except for employment related legal matters, for which, Simpson Grierson is used. TEC also uses Crown Law when the legal matter is related, more broadly, to the Crown. Of the $604,426 total, $572,370 was spent with Buddle Findlay, and $32,056 was spent with Simpson Grierson.