Urgent Debates Declined — Syria, Internal Conflict—Government Response

Honourable members, I have received a letter from Dr Kennedy Graham seeking to debate under Standing Order 386 the question of New Zealand Government policy in response to a request by the United States to lend moral support for a US military strike against Syria. For there to be an urgent debate there must be a particular case of recent occurrence that involves the administrative or ministerial responsibility of the Government. The Government has not yet made a decision on the request by the United States Secretary of State, and there is no ministerial responsibility for the global perception that chemical weapons were used in Syria or for the response of the United States Secretary of State or the United Nations Secretary-General. An urgent debate is a way of holding the Government accountable for an action that has occurred and for which it is responsible. There must be a distinct governmental responsibility for the particular case that is sought for debate. The application is therefore declined.