Ministerial Policy Statements

Ministerial Policy Statements set out the performance and plans of Spending Agencies, linking them with their policy objectives. Ministers present these statements to Parliament following the presentation of the Budget by the Minister of Finance. These statements are used by Parliament to assess sector (Spending Agency) performance. This role of Parliament is provided for under Section 6 (1) of the Budget Act (2001).

They summarise the past performance of the sector and the plans for future expenditure and activities. They outline anticipated sectoral challenges and strategies to overcome them. They also present: planned outputs and the costing; final work plans; cash plans; and staffing structure and procurement plans of the sector.