Urgent Debates Declined — Teachers and Support Staff, Payroll—Ministerial Inquiry into Novopay System

I have received letters from Brendan Horan and Metiria Turei seeking to debate under Standing Order 386 the Government’s announcement of a ministerial inquiry into the Novopay payroll system used by the Ministry of Education to pay teaching and support staff. The announcement of the ministerial inquiry is a particular case of recent occurrence involving the administrative responsibility of the Government. However, not every ministerial announcement will give grounds for an urgent debate. The big hurdle to get over is whether the matter has reached the stage where the business of the House ought to be set aside. There must be an element of urgency for the matter to take precedence over other business. I am not persuaded that setting aside the business of the House for an urgent debate can be justified today.

There are two other occasions on which this matter can be debated. The House is currently debating the Prime Minister’s statement. The financial review debate which must be taken before the end of March will also provide an opportunity to address this matter. The applications are, therefore, declined.