Points of Order — Members—Declaration of Financial Interests

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I seek your clarification on just a few short matters concerning correspondence between our offices on the application of Standing Orders 161 and 162 to the vote on the New Zealand International Convention Centre Bill. I have three questions of clarification, which I hope will not take long. The first is: is it the case that Standing Orders 161 and 162 require MPs to make an explicit and separate declaration of any financial interests that they might hold in Skycity, given that the bill is a matter of business before the House, held by the MPs or family members?

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Will the member bring her point to a close very quickly. I do not want to labour this—

No, absolutely. That was the first question. The second question is: is it the case that if an MP does not declare a financial interest that they or their family, or trust, or companies in which they have an interest own shares in Skycity, they are at risk of being in contempt of the rules of the House, and therefore subject to a privileges complaint? Third, will you require MPs to declare under Standing Orders 161 and 162 whether their family members or trusts or companies in which they have an interest own shares in Skycity, before the third reading vote on the bill is held?

I thank for the member for the points she is raising. The member may not be aware, but, following receipt of her letter dated yesterday, I have written a substantial reply to the member. I can summarise that very quickly. All members are aware of potential conflicts of interest. It is for members to monitor that, not for the Speaker. That applies to any particular debate that may be about to take place in this House.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Sorry, I have one more.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: Can I just clarify that this is a fresh point—

Not to do with that conflict—absolutely.

💬 Mr SPEAKER: All right, we will hear it.

On Friday I sent a letter to your office seeking your view on a privileges complaint that John Banks holds a conflict of interest—

Order! [Interruption] Order! Those matters are under consideration. They are not matters that should then be raised in this House, or, for that matter, in the media.