28185 (2024). Hon Barbara Edmonds to the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology

28185 (2024). Hon Barbara Edmonds to the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology: When does the Minister expect their responsible agencies, if any, to implement the Initial Baseline Exercise?

Hon Judith Collins: The Government established a multi-year Fiscal Sustainability Programme in December 2023 to generate headroom, tighten fiscal discipline, and ensure collective ownership and accountability for the fiscal position (CAB-23-MIN-0490). The first phase of the programme had a focus on freeing up headroom for Budget 2024, supported by the Budget 2024 Initial Baseline Exercise. Phase two of the programme will commence after Budget 2024, focusing on driving greater value and results from public expenditure and securing a sustainable fiscal outlook. Performance Plans (previously Savings and Performance Plans) are one of the phase two activities. With regard to agencies under the SI&T portfolio, no agencies have been directed to find savings under the cost saving initiative.