Urgent Debates Declined — Rugby World Cup, Minister—Extension of Queens Wharf Fanzone

I have received letters from the Leader of the Opposition and Dr Russel Norman seeking to debate under Standing Order 380 the announcement that the Minister for the Rugby World Cup is to invoke powers under the Rugby World Cup 2011 (Empowering) Act 2010 to take control of the Auckland waterfront for cup celebrations. Dr Norman’s application refers to the decision by the Minister to extend the Auckland Rugby World Cup fanzone beyond its current limits. No such decision has been made.

In ruling on an urgent debate application the Speaker has to determine not when an announcement is made but when a particular case of recent occurrence occurs. The urgent debate procedure is a means of holding the Government to account for decisions that have actually been made. The grounds for an urgent debate today are not made out.

However, this is an important and controversial matter. There is a significant element of urgency. Where there is no other parliamentary means of debating an urgent matter in the reasonably foreseeable future, this is a relevant consideration for the Speaker in considering whether a matter requires the urgent attention of the House. It may well give grounds for the matter to take precedence over other business. That stage has not been reached today, but I am prepared to reassess tomorrow. The applications are declined.