Urgent Debates Declined — GCSB—World Trade Organization Director-General Role

I have received a letter from David Shearer seeking to debate under Standing Order 389 the release of a document showing that the Government Communications Security Bureau undertook targeted monitoring of international diplomats to support the application of the Hon Tim Groser for the position of Director-General of the World Trade Organization.

In ruling on an application for an urgent debate, the Speaker has to determine whether there is a particular case of recent occurrence involving ministerial responsibility. If something occurs in secret, it may become a case of recent occurrence for the purpose of the Standing Orders when it becomes publicly known. But the release upon which this application is based does not involve ministerial responsibility. The release was by news site, from leaked documents. An urgent debate cannot be granted on the basis of newspaper allegations or speculation. There must be a distinct Governmental responsibility for the particular case that it is seeking to debate. On this basis, the case raised does not meet the test for me to set aside the business of the House today. The application is therefore declined.

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I thank you and accept that ruling. It does, though, place the Opposition in a difficult position if the Government refuses to answer questions as to whether the allegations are correct. I would ask, when these issues arise in the next few days, for the Speaker to reflect upon whether the Government can effectively stonewall, as to whether these allegations made are correct, by claiming public interest, because, as it currently stands, if it can do so then the Opposition cannot hold the Government to account in Parliament, which would be the wrong outcome.

I will certainly watch answers carefully in the future but, having been here for some years, on many occasions I have seen Ministers take the opportunity—with regard to security matters—to say that it is not in the interests of the country to publicly debate such matters or to answer such questions. So I will certainly do my best to balance that. I appreciate the point that the Hon David Parker is making.