Urgent Debates Declined — Tertiary Education Savings Scheme—Government Policy

I have received a letter from the Hon Peter Dunne seeking to debate a decision not to establish a scheme to assist parents to save for their children’s tertiary education. The application relates to a newspaper report that a scheme that was to have formed part of the next Budget is not to go ahead. Had such a scheme been announced in the Budget it would, at that point of course, have been a particular case of recent occurrence within the terms of Standing Order 373. But a Government deciding not to initiate a new policy, if that is indeed the case, is not a particular case of recent occurrence that can be raised for debate under the Standing Orders. The application is therefore declined.

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I just make it clear that the report on which the member relies was grossly inaccurate.

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Like the rest of the House, I am obliged to the Minister, but if he is going to make that much of a statement, why does he not make a ministerial statement and tell us what the real situation is? I am sure the whole House is just waiting to hear.

I thank the member, but that is not a point of order.