Urgent Debates Declined — SAS—Allegations of Torture of Prisoners Transferred to Afghan Authorities

I have received a letter from the Hon David Parker seeking to debate under Standing Order 380 the announcement that people making new claims for counselling funded by accident compensation will now be able to access up to 16 hours with a counsellor. The announcement is a particular case of recent occurrence that involves ministerial responsibility, but it does not alter the process of deciding who qualifies for accident compensation cover. It is, in effect, part of a continuing process. Development of the sensitive claims process is ongoing and awaits the final report of the independent clinical panel. A continuing matter does not require the immediate attention of the House. The matter can be considered over a longer time frame. The application is therefore declined.

I have also received a letter from Dr Kennedy Graham seeking to debate under Standing Order 380 the revelation that New Zealand’s Special Air Service may have been responsible, directly or indirectly, for the torture of prisoners in the Afghan National Directorate of Security. The making of an allegation or a media revelation can never constitute a case of recent occurrence. There must be some concrete event or announcement and not just media speculation about it. The urgent debate procedure is not a means of debating matters that may or may not have happened. The event must have occurred recently and there must be an element of urgency to warrant the business of the House being set aside. The application is therefore also declined.