Urgent Debates Declined — Earthquake, Canterbury—Cabinet Committee on Canterbury Reconstruction

I have received a letter from the Hon Jim Anderton seeking to debate under Standing Order 380 the decision to establish a Cabinet committee on Canterbury reconstruction and to allocate funding to the mayoral fund and emergency work on roading infrastructure. This is a particular case of recent occurrence involving ministerial responsibility that requires the immediate attention of the House. However, as the House has given leave to extend the time for the Prime Minister’s statement today, along with the comments of other party leaders on the statement, I am not persuaded that the business of the House should be further set aside today. The application is therefore declined.