Urgent Debates Declined — Child, Youth and Family—Expert Advisory Panel Report

I have received a letter from Carmel Sepuloni seeking to debate under Standing Order 389 the independent expert panel’s interim report on modernising Child, Youth and Family. The release of the report is a particular case of recent occurrence involving ministerial responsibility. The report makes concerning findings about the care of children by Child, Youth and Family and outlines the nature of changes that the panel considers are required. The report is an interim one that outlines the next stage of work for the panel. Furthermore, the operation of Child, Youth and Family was extensively debated in an urgent debate on 27 August following the report of the Children’s Commissioner. There will be further opportunities to consider the issues when the final report is presented in December. I am not convinced that the presentation of an interim report warrants the setting aside of the business of the House today.