Urgent Debates Declined — Accident Compensation Corporation—Resignation of Board Member

Colleagues, I have received a letter from Andrew Little seeking to debate under Standing Order 386 the departure of Murray Hilder from the ACC board. The resignation involves ministerial responsibility. An urgent debate on resignations from the ACC board was held just last week. For there now to be a case of recent occurrence there must be either a new situation of importance or a new development in an existing situation of sufficient importance to warrant, in this instance, a further debate being held. News media allegations about the circumstances of the new resignation cannot constitute a case of recent occurrence. The application is therefore declined.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Can I take from your ruling that these resignations are an ongoing matter?

Order! The House will come to order. That is not a point of order. I have ruled on the letter seeking an urgent debate, and that is the end of the matter.