Urgent Debates Declined — Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust Board—Audit

I have received a letter from the Hon Shane Jones seeking to debate under Standing Order 386 the decision by the Minister of Education and the Associate Minister of Education to order an audit into inappropriate spending at Te Kōhanga Reo National Trust Board. The decision to conduct an audit is a particular case of recent occurrence involving the administrative responsibility of the Government. However, not every such decision will occasion an urgent debate. There must be an element of urgency for the matter to take precedence over other business. Although the decision to conduct an audit is an important step in the Ministers assuring themselves that public funding is being used appropriately, the audit will take some time. I am not convinced that the matter warrants the setting aside of the business of the House today. The application is therefore declined.