Urgent Debates Declined — Auckland International Airport—Canada Pension Plan Investment Board Bid

I have received a letter from the Rt Hon Winston Peters seeking to debate under Standing Order 380 the decision of Ministers to decline the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board’s bid to purchase a 40 percent stake in Auckland International Airport. This is a particular case of recent occurrence involving ministerial responsibility of the Government. However, a Minister cannot raise a matter for debate under Standing Order 380—Speaker’s ruling 161/2. A debate on a matter of urgent public importance is an opportunity for a member to hold the Government to account. The application is therefore declined. [Interruption]

I am becoming sick and tired of members who sit right next to the Speaker’s Chair constantly interjecting when the Speaker is giving a ruling. If it happens one more time, from either side, I will be asking the member to leave the House for some considerable time.

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Maybe I misheard, but were you indicating to the House that the National Party did not submit a request for an urgent debate on Auckland International Airport? Because I am thoroughly surprised by that fact.

💬 Madam SPEAKER: I received one application, and I have ruled on that.

I am very much aware of what Judith Collins was saying, and also the suggestion from Dr Cullen, which leads me to seek leave so that the National Party can debate what its members say on this issue, to have the motion that I have put before you debated now.

💬 Madam SPEAKER: Leave is sought. Is there any objection? There is objection. There is another point of order? [Interruption] Jill Pettis, you will be leaving the Chamber unless you keep quiet during points of order.

I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. Noting your ruling, and the subsequent seeking of leave by the Rt Hon Winston Peters, can we assume that the Cabinet Manual, which is to be publicly released this afternoon—and there is some fanfare around that, I understand—will make provision for Ministers of a Government to seek leave for urgent debates in the House about their own Government’s policy, and allow them to step outside their collective responsibility to seek leave for the House to debate their Government’s own policy?

💬 Madam SPEAKER: I understand the member’s point. The member has been here long enough to know that the Speaker makes rulings based on the Standing Orders, not on the Cabinet Manual.