Urgent Debates Declined — Environment Canterbury—Regional Council Elections

I have also received a letter from Grant Robertson seeking to debate the announcement made by the Minister for the Environment and the Minister of Local Government that the election for Environment Canterbury will not occur until 2016, with a review occurring in 2014. These are both particular cases of recent occurrence involving ministerial responsibility. I would have been inclined to accept either one of them.

However, there can be only one such debate on any one day. The Standing Orders provide that in these circumstances the Speaker must determine which is the most urgent and important. I have concluded, given the more immediate significance of the Government’s decision to delay the sale of shares in Mighty River Power, that it should have priority.

Legislation has now been introduced to implement the Government’s decision to extend the Canterbury Regional Council’s governance arrangement and special water management decision-making powers. Consideration of this bill will provide an opportunity to debate the timing of the next election for Environment Canterbury.