80681 (2024). Hon Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

80681 (2024). Hon Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: How many, if any, of the individuals who have received Jobseeker Support over the past 12 months have been required to return any of the benefit provided to them for not meeting their obligations?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised by the Ministry of Social Development (The Ministry) that due to how debts are recorded in Ministry systems, answering this question would require a review of individual client files, and for the Ministry to undertake substantial manual collation and divert staff from their core duties. In accordance with the Speaker’s Ruling 185-4, I consider that the time, and hence the expense, of answering this question is not in the public interest.