39306 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

Written Question

Published date: 18 Sep 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	39306 (2026)
Question asked:	03 Sep 2026
Member asking:	Hon Willow-Jean Prime
Portfolio:	Minister for Social Development and Employment
Minister replying:	Hon Louise Upston
Answer received:	13 Sep 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_39306_2026
Document guid:	8808efc7-c3bf-4334-9079-0d4348b94cec

39306 (2026). Hon Willow-Jean Prime to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: On how many occasions, if any, have Ministry of Social Development staff recommended that a person get a credit card or loan in lieu of receiving support from the Ministry?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised that due to how this information is recorded in the Ministry’s systems, providing this information would require a review of individual client 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 Member’s question is not in the public interest.