Points of Order — Iraq—Debate

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I seek leave for the House, at the conclusion of the debate on the Budget Policy Statement, to set aside its normal business and hold a 2-hour debate on the situation in Iraq.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that. Is there any objection? There is.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. This matter has been discussed, by way of leave in the House, on several occasions, and I point out that the request has been defeated twice by the Government previously. Albeit that Mr Dunne may say he is not part of the Government, it is not surprising that the seeking of leave has been defeated today. However, as there seems to be a willingness from the Government to have a debate on Iraq, I would move that we have a debate—

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Seek leave.

I seek leave that we have a debate on Iraq, and that the House sets aside time immediately after question time tomorrow—Government time, as it is a Government issue; the only people who can make a decision about New Zealand’s participation in, or contribution to, any conflict in Iraq are those in Government.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that course to be followed. Is there any objection? There is.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. It is very hard to believe that this issue is being treated in such a frivolous fashion. The National Party having failed in its seeking of leave, I seek leave that the original leave sought by Mr Dunne now be put again to the House, and we will take the House’s direction on it.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought, and I understand that what Mr Dunne said was that after the Budget Policy Statement there be—[Interruption] Leave was sought to put Mr Dunne’s question again. Perhaps Mr Dunne can state it, because he alone knows exactly what it is.

💬 Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Can I assist the House by saying that we are reluctant to support our having this debate in members’ time. I want to make that very, very clear. It is unacceptable that the Government wishes to move that a debate on something that it must make a decision on be held in members’ time.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: This is not a debatable issue. I am putting leave.

💬 Hon Ken Shirley: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: We are in the middle of a point of order—

I have sought leave.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Leave has been sought, and we have to go from there. Please be seated.

💬 Hon Ken Shirley: I am speaking to the point of order—

💬 Mr SPEAKER: No; leave has been sought, and leave must be put when it is sought. Would Mr Dunne please state his request for leave.

I sought leave for the House to set aside its normal business at the conclusion of the Budget Policy Statement, and hold a 2-hour debate on the question of Iraq.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is.