6. Question No. 6—FinanceHon AMY ADAMS (National—Selwyn) to the Minister of FinanceQuestion No. 6—Finance6. Hon AMY ADAMS (National—Selwyn) to the Minister of Finance: Does he consider that ensuring the Government spends tax revenue wisely is part of his role as Minister of Finance; if so what is the total projected cost of all working groups advisory groups reference groups ministerial groups governance groups reviews inquiries ministries commissions units tribunals committees summits panels forums task forces teams investigations think tanks councils studies action plans hui boards stocktakes conferences authorities work programmes agendas schemes and reports if any announced by this Government's Ministers to date?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON (Minister of Finance): In answer to the first part of the question yes. In answer to the second part of the question I refer the member to my announcement of those projected costs of Government spending otherwise known as the Budget.Hon Amy Adams: Does the Minister think it's a good use of taxpayers' money to spend—what has been costed so far—$262 million on 192 of those working and other such groups?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I would contest that particular costing that the Minister has put forward for working groups but even if it were true it would equate to one-half of one-tenth of 1 percent of total Crown spending over the forecast period.Hon Amy Adams: How when New Zealand families are struggling with the increasing costs of living—like increasing rents and higher petrol taxes—can he justify spending $262 million on working groups because the Government failed to do their work in Opposition?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I can justify the spending of money on a working group on mental health and addiction because it is one of the most serious issues facing New Zealand—tragically neglected by the last Government over the last nine years.Hon Amy Adams: Is the Minister aware that the $262 million the Government has spent on working groups so far is equivalent to the annual salary of more than 3500 teachers 4300 nurses or 3200 police?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: As I said earlier I don't necessarily accept the member's costings. What I do know is that it is the equivalent of half of one-tenth of 1 percent of total Crown spending. I also note that included in that is the royal commission into the abuse of people in State care—something again the last Government avoided facing up to for nine years.Hon Amy Adams: Well does the Minister think it's a good use of taxpayer money to have spent $4.7 million—which is the same as the annual tax of 414 middle-income earners—on a criminal justice summit and two education summits?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: What the member fails to understand is that on this side of the House we want to deal with some of the long-term intractable problems that a Government faces. Putting your head in the sand as the previous Government did and ignoring the fact that our criminal justice system isn't working properly isn't good enough for members on this side of the House. It is going to cost a bit of money to tidy up the mess of the last nine years but we're getting on with doing it.Hon Chris Hipkins: Which does he think is better value for money for the taxpayer: inviting them to have their say on justice and education matters or spending $20 million on a flag referendum?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: Oh I'm very very clear on that. I do however want to correct the member: it was $26 million on the flag referendum and I would stand up our working groups against that any day.Hon Simon Bridges: How much will three referendums coming up some time around the next general election cost?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: That's very dependent on timing issues.Rt Hon Winston Peters: Is the Minister of Finance concerned about certain members of Parliament spending over $100000 to go around the country and losing support?Hon GRANT ROBERTSON: I'm very concerned if that kind of expenditure leads to people's poll ratings plummeting further and further.SPEAKER: Any more?