Urgent Debates Declined — Afghanistan—Provincial Reconstruction Team and Deaths of Army Personnel

I have received a letter from Dr Russel Norman seeking to debate under Standing Order 386 the deaths of three New Zealand personnel serving in the provincial reconstruction team in Afghanistan on Sunday, 19 August, the range of operations of the provincial reconstruction team, the equipment used by the provincial reconstruction team, and the withdrawal date of the provincial reconstruction team.

The deaths of the New Zealand personnel is a particular case of recent occurrence of grave concern to New Zealand and involving ministerial responsibility. However, the House has more appropriate ways of recognising such events and has today already done so. The urgent debate procedure is a means of debating matters that have occurred. The accumulation of information or continuing issues do not meet the test of a particular case of recent occurrence. A debate occurs at the point in time when a decision is publicly announced. No decision on a withdrawal date has yet been made, and the range of operations and the equipment used by the provincial reconstruction team are ongoing operational matters.

It is also relevant, when considering whether a matter requires the urgent attention of the House, to consider whether there are other parliamentary means of debating the subject. The House has before it today the third reading of the Appropriation (2012/13 Estimates) Bill, which may be taken with an Imprest Supply Bill. As is the case with the Address in Reply debate and the Budget debate, there is virtually no limitation on the debate on such a bill on the grounds of relevancy. This provides an opportunity today to debate the ongoing operations and the possible timing of any withdrawal. The application is therefore declined.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I seek leave to move a motion without notice on the withdrawal of New Zealand troops from Afghanistan.

Leave is sought for that course of action. Is there any objection? There is objection.