Urgent Debates Declined — NZAID—Reintegration into Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

I have received a letter from Phil Twyford seeking to debate under Standing Order 380 the Government’s announcements of its decisions on NZAID. This is a particular case of recent occurrence involving ministerial responsibility. However, not every ministerial announcement, even an important one such as this, can give grounds for a debate. There must be an element of urgency or substantive policy change to justify the matter taking precedence over other business of the House. There will be other, better parliamentary opportunities to consider the change of approach and technical structural changes; in particular, the upcoming Budget debate and select committee examinations of estimates. Furthermore, Mr Twyford provided no authenticating material with his letter. That in itself is a sufficient ground to decline the application. I refer members to Speaker’s ruling 170/5.

Although I have not ruled the application out on this ground, I have decided that on balance this matter does not require the immediate attention of the House today by way of urgent debate. The application is accordingly declined.