37329 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

Written Question

Published date: 03 Sep 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	37329 (2026)
Question asked:	23 Aug 2026
Member asking:	Hon Willow-Jean Prime
Portfolio:	Minister for Social Development and Employment
Minister replying:	Hon Louise Upston
Answer received:	30 Aug 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_37329_2026
Document guid:	62e1f386-a8c1-4a3e-a159-42b23cf04170

37329 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: On what date was the issue of winter energy payments being excluded in the Social Security (Mandatory Reviews) Amendment Act first raised within the Ministry of Social Development?

Hon Louise Upston: The Ministry of Social Development (the Ministry) has advised that individual cases were raised through client enquiries, complaints and staff feedback and were initially dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Once senior leadership at the Ministry confirmed the issue and that it had broader impacts, I was briefed on Thursday 13 August and immediate corrective actions taken.