Urgent Debates Declined — Solid Energy, Spring Creek Mine—Job Losses

I have received a letter from Darien Fenton seeking to debate under Standing Order 386 the announcement of job losses at Solid Energy. The announcement relating to Spring Creek mine workers today is a case of recent occurrence involving ministerial responsibility. However, not every such announcement will warrant an urgent debate. There must be an element of urgency for the matter to take precedence over other business. There will be other occasions on which this matter can be examined, such as the upcoming financial reviews of State enterprises. In these circumstances, I am not persuaded that the setting aside of the House’s business for an urgent debate today can be justified. The application is therefore declined.