2. Question No. 2—Prime MinisterCHRISTOPHER LUXON (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime MinisterQuestion No. 2—Prime Minister2. CHRISTOPHER LUXON (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime Minister: Does she stand by all of her Government's statements and actions?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Deputy Prime Minister) on behalf of the Prime Minister: Yes.Christopher Luxon: Why have the number of back office staff at the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) more than doubled from just 345 in 2017 to over 800 last year; and does she believe that taxpayers have got good value for money from a doubling of back office staff?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: On behalf of the Prime Minister New Zealanders know that to deliver good quality strong public services requires a range of different staff. Some of them work in front-facing roles some of them work in back office roles—all of them are important to making sure New Zealanders get the services they deserve. Christopher Luxon: Why has total spending on consultants by NZTA also more than doubled over the same period from just $31 million in 2017 to over $75 million last year; and does she believe taxpayers have got a good return from spending twice as much on consultants?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: When it comes to the work of Waka Kotahi NZTA it is important that they are able to draw on the best expertise around the country and indeed around the world to be able to put in place the transport policies of the Government.Christopher Luxon: Why has the number of communications staff at NZTA earning more than $100000 increased from just 6.6 FTEs in 2017 to almost 65 last year; and does she believe taxpayers are getting good value for money from a 10-fold increase in highly-paid comms staff?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: On behalf of the Prime Minister all of the staff who work at Waka Kotahi NZTA play an important role in making sure that we achieve the transport outcomes that are here for New Zealand. I don't have a specific answer to that question; the member might choose to put it down in writing. What I do know is it took a lot of effort to communicate just how much National stuffed up the public-private partnership on Transmission Gully.Hon Michael Wood: Does the Prime Minister stand by the Government's investment in back office regulatory staff at Waka Kotahi in response to the significant regulatory failure that was established in 2018 2019 after years of under-investment?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Yes that was one of the issues that Waka Kotahi NZTA had to deal with—was the fact that through the warrant of fitness process there were significant shortcomings partly I'm sure as a result of under-investment under the previous National Government. Christopher Luxon: What benefits if any have taxpayers received from the $10000 the Government spent on two giant red zeros for the transport Minister to stand next to in photo ops?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: On behalf of the Prime Minister the transport Minister has already made clear his views to Waka Kotahi around that matter and as the member will be well aware from time to time agencies do do things that don't always meet the expectations of Ministers.Christopher Luxon: What have taxpayers got from the $50 million her Government spent on the Auckland bike bridge or the $600000 it is spending to rent an empty—empty—waterfront office to manage the cancelled bike bridge project?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: On behalf of the Prime Minister the Government continues to make sure that we're investigating mode-shift options; that we're investigating ways in which people can actually move around Auckland; that will actually invest in transport. On this side of the House we remain proud of our record in making sure that New Zealanders have transport options.Christopher Luxon: Doesn't this show that her Government has created a culture of wasteful spending in the public sector and taxpayers deserve a Government focused on delivering outcomes not spin?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: No what it shows is the Government continues to invest in making sure that public services are what New Zealanders deserve and that we keep New Zealanders safe. For instance that's why we've invested in 940 more corrections officers 735 Department of Work and Income case officers 510 social workers 520 education advisers for teachers in schools 350 scientists working in biosecurity customs office special education teachers and more. We know that it takes a lot of work to provide the public services we need especially after significant under-investment in those areas. Christopher Luxon: Why does she think it's OK for Government agencies to waste taxpayer money when up and down the country every day Kiwis are having to spend—SPEAKER: Order! Order! Order! I'm going to invite the member to start his question again. Christopher Luxon: Why does she think it's OK for Government agencies to waste taxpayer money?SPEAKER: Right. The member—if he wants to use another supplementary he can. He's had two shots and missed.Christopher Luxon: Why does she think it's OK for Government agencies to spend taxpayer money when up and down the country every day Kiwis are having to make tough decisions about their own household spending?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: It is in fact the job of Government agencies to spend taxpayer money—that's what it's about. On this side of the House we work very hard every day to make sure that New Zealanders are getting value for money. It's interesting that the member hasn't focused on the investment that the Government made in delivering things like the wage subsidy scheme and making sure that New Zealanders are staying safe through more corrections officers or indeed the funding of 1800 more police. On this side of the House we take seriously our responsibility to make sure New Zealanders have the public services they deserve unlike the National Party who spent years in Government cutting those public services.