24885 (2026). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

Written Question

Published date: 19 Jun 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	24885 (2026)
Question asked:	01 Jun 2026
Member asking:	Ricardo Menéndez March
Portfolio:	Minister for Social Development and Employment
Minister replying:	Hon Louise Upston
Answer received:	15 Jun 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_24885_2026
Document guid:	eedf155e-d53f-4a70-a07d-361d93176f56

24885 (2026). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: How many people, if any, have seen a change to their benefit eligibility due to their relationship status being clarified, broken down by age, gender, and region?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised that the Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) is unable to provide the information the member has requested. Due to how this information is recorded in Ministry systems, this would require a review of individual clients' files and for the Ministry to undertake substantial manual collation, diverting staff from their core duties. In accordance with the Speaker’s Ruling 210/6, I consider that the time, and hence the expense of answering the members question is not in the public interest. This is also my response to WPQ’s 24883 & 24887 (2026)