31162 (2026). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

31162 (2026). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: How much, if any, did the Minister’s departments, agencies, crown entities and any other bodies that the Minister is responsible for, if any, spend on the carbon neutral government programme in the 2025/26 financial year?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised that in the 2025/26 year the Ministry of Social Development spent $439,097 on the Carbon Neutral Government Programme (CNGP). This includes three FTE as well as annual CNGP audit costs I am further advised that the Independent Children’s Monitor, which was a departmental agency at the time, spent $4,449.35 for auditing in the 2025/26 year, for the purpose of meeting the government carbon neutral programme requirements. The Independent Children’s Monitor became an independent Crown entity on 1 August 2025 and therefore no longer participates in the programme. The Social Workers Registration Board spent $6,365.50 on auditing and verification in the 2025/26 year, for the purpose of meeting the government carbon-neutral programme requirements. The remaining Crown entities I am responsible for are not covered by the programme.