Points of Order — Urgent Question to Minister of Police—Shane Ardern

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I seek leave of the House to ask an urgent question of the Minister of Police now.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Is the member indicating the subject?

Yes, and thank you for the opportunity to elucidate the content of the question. Quite clearly it would be a question about the extraordinary expense the police have gone to in pursuing the frivolous prosecution against Shane Ardern—

💬 Mr SPEAKER: I did give the member an opportunity. Is there any objection to that course being followed? There is.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Given the unusual circumstances surrounding this case, the obviously considerable amount of taxpayer money that has gone into it, the allegations that—

💬 Mr SPEAKER: What is the point of order?

The point of order is simply whether we can expect a ministerial statement so that the Minister can explain himself.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: That is up to the Minister.

Given that the Government is showing no signs that it wants to discuss this matter further, clearly it would want Parliament to be able to have a say on a matter like this. Therefore, I seek leave for there to be a debate immediately upon the end of question time to discuss this matter.

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

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I think you will recall that a matter of privilege was raised with you some time ago in relation to the matter that Mr Brownlee has just raised with the House. You made a ruling that relied on the fact that a prosecution was in the offing to turn the matter down. In the light of these new circumstances, I ask whether you will now revisit the matter that was earlier put before you.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: No, I dismissed the complaint at that time, and that is the end of the matter. If any other letters are on their way, that is then up to the members concerned.