Urgent Debates Declined — David Garrett—Status of Relationship with National

I have received a letter from the Hon Phil Goff seeking to debate under Standing Order 380 the recent announcements from the Prime Minister relating to parliamentary support arrangements for his Government. Standing Order 380 requires that the matter for debate be a particular case of recent occurrence, and involve the administrative or ministerial responsibility of the Government. The application relates to a report of a statement made by the Prime Minister that National would not be looking to form any kind of relationship with David Garrett if he stays on as an Independent. The absence of action on the part of the Government is not a particular case of recent occurrence that can be raised for debate under the Standing Order. For there to be a case of recent occurrence, an event must have occurred when the application was lodged, and that event must be a new situation of importance. The application is therefore declined.