The Associate Health Minister has defended in Parliament claims she specifically sought out advice on freezing the tobacco excise tax. Documents show Casey Costello asked her ministry for advice on freezing the excise, despite denying in an interview with RNZ she had specifically sought the advice out. Speaking during Question Time today, Costello maintained she had not specifically asked for the advice, and she had not written the documents she sent to officials. "The documentation is a range of historical policy positions and notes that were held in New Zealand First policy positions. Labour's health spokesperson Dr Ayesha Verrall said the minister was still responsible for the documents she presented, and the prime minister should relieve Costello of her duties.
