5. Question No. 5—FinanceNICOLA WILLIS (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 5—Finance5. NICOLA WILLIS (Deputy Leader—National) to the Minister of Finance: Is he satisfied that the Government's design and implementation of economic policy has resulted in good stewardship of public money?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): Tēnā koe Mr Speaker. Our economic policy has led to strong outcomes such as the 3.3 percent unemployment rate a larger economy than before COVID inflation below that of countries we compare ourselves against and some of the lowest public debt in the world. I am satisfied—to the extent to which the Government can control such things. We also always seek to refine our approach as we go including during a crisis situation where action is being demanded and has to be taken. As I'm sure the member will be aware if she has specific questions about the details and the design and implementation of specific policies in mind she should address those questions to the Ministers responsible for those policies.Nicola Willis: Does the Minister agree with the Auditor-General's view that good stewardship of public money required greater care when designing and implementing the cost of living payment?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As the Prime Minister has already covered this matter Cabinet set clear criteria when it came to the cost of living payment. Implementation matters are continually refined as we go. The Government was responding to calls in a cost of living crisis to respond quickly and targetedly and we did that.Nicola Willis: So does he agree or disagree?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As I said I believe that we did design the system well and the criteria were designed well and that in facing a cost of living crisis the Government acted swiftly to ensure that those who earn less than $70000 were being supported. The member may prefer a policy that sprays money around to those earning over $180000; we don't.Nicola Willis: Will he take responsibility and apologise for the failures in the delivery of the cost of living payment; and if not why not?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As I noted to the member if she wants to get into the detail of matters on a specific policy there is a Minister responsible. What I can say is that the Government stands by a policy that was designed to make sure that those earning less than $70000 were supported and in a timely manner. I would note that from time to time in the administration of Government policy there are payments that do not meet criteria set by Cabinet. A recent example in the Appropriation (2020/21 Confirmation and Validation) Bill that we had to pass related to payments authorised in 2016 on paid parental leave. They had to be corrected when they weren't implemented properly.Nicola Willis: Is it acceptable that the Government does not know the scale of payments made to ineligible people; and if so what is he doing about it?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As already noted in answers in this House Inland Revenue continues to refine the way in which the payment is implemented. Matters of detail on that need to be directed to the Minister responsible and the Commissioner of Inland Revenue who is by law responsible for the administration of the payment.Nicola Willis: Why is the Minister of Finance prepared to ignore the explicit admonishment of the public watchdog the Auditor-General who says that good stewardship was not provided over the implementation and the delivery of the cost of living payment? And do we take it that the Minister of Finance believes he knows better than the independent watchdog?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: In answer to the second part of the question no.