Urgent Debates Declined — Flooding, Christchurch—Government Response

I have received a letter from the Hon Ruth Dyson seeking to debate under Standing Order 386 the Government’s response to the flooding situation in Christchurch. 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 and requires the urgent attention of the House. An urgent debate is a way of holding the Government to account for an action for which it is responsible. There must be distinct ministerial responsibility for the particular case that it has sought to debate.

There is no ministerial responsibility for a report released by the Christchurch City Council Mayoral Flood Taskforce in Christchurch. The Mayoral Flood Taskforce Temporary Flood Defence Measures: Technical Report undoubtedly addresses issues of importance, but the urgent debate procedure is a means of debating matters that have occurred for which Ministers are responsible. It is not a means for debating matters where the Government may or may not respond in the future. The application is therefore declined.