Urgent Debates Declined — State-owned Assets, Sales—Air New Zealand

I have received a letter from the Hon David Cunliffe seeking to debate under Standing Order 386 the decision by the Minister of Finance and the Minister for State Owned Enterprises to commence the process to sell 20 percent of the Government’s Air New Zealand shares. This is a particular case of recent occurrence involving ministerial responsibility.

The test for whether a particular case requires the attention of the House is a high one. The decision to sell Air New Zealand shares follows the passing of the Public Finance (Mixed Ownership Model) Amendment Act in June last year, when there was significant debate on this issue. Every subsequent decision made under the Act will not be of sufficient importance to justify setting aside the business of the House. I am not persuaded that the matter deserves the immediate attention of the House by way of an urgent debate. There will be other occasions on which it can be debated. The application is therefore declined.