Urgent Debates Declined — Toll Holdings—Tranz Rail

I have received a letter from the Hon Roger Sowry seeking to debate under Standing Order 376 an announcement on 7 July that the Government had reached an agreement with Toll Holdings concerning its bid for Tranz Rail. This is a particular case of recent occurrence involving ministerial responsibility. On 10 June I allowed an urgent debate on the Government’s decision to acquire an interest in Tranz Rail Holdings. While the agreement with Toll Holdings is an important development with regard to the future of Tranz Rail, the fact that a recent urgent debate has been held, combined with the ability to raise the matter under the appropriate vote in the estimates debate, leads me to conclude that a further urgent debate is not justified. I therefore decline the application.

Report of Environmental Risk Management Authority