Urgent Debates Declined — New Zealand Security Intelligence Service—Inquiry and Allegations of Spying

I have received a letter from Keith Locke seeking to debate under Standing Order 373 allegations by journalists that the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service spied on the Māori Party and other organisations, and the decision of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security to initiate an inquiry into the allegations. Standing Order 373 permits a member to raise “a particular case of recent occurrence” for debate, yet the member’s letter raises two issues: the allegations and the announced inquiry. I will deal with the two cases separately.

Allegations can never constitute a particular case of recent occurrence—see Speaker’s ruling 154/2. There can therefore be no grounds for a debate on the allegations. The decision to hold an inquiry is a particular case of recent occurrence and, because it requires the concurrence of the Prime Minister, it does involve ministerial responsibility. However, it would be very unusual for the decision to set up an inquiry to require the immediate attention of the House, and I can see nothing in this case that would justify it. The application is consequently declined.