Urgent Debates Declined — Housing New Zealand Corporation—Dividend Not to be Paid for 2 Years

I have received a letter from Phil Twyford seeking to debate, under Standing Order 389, the announcement by the Government that Housing New Zealand would no longer pay a dividend in the next 2 years. The announcement is a particular case of recent occurrence involving ministerial responsibility. The business of the House ought not to be set aside just because a ministerial announcement has been made, even though it may be important. There must be such an element of urgency that the matter must take precedence over other business. The Speaker must also consider whether there is another opportunity to debate the matter.

I am not convinced that the matter does warrant the setting aside of the business of the House. In any case, the business currently before the House is the Estimates debate, which is an opportunity to debate the Government’s spending plans. The Estimates debate is currently on the Social Development and Housing Sector. That debate, and the third reading of the Appropriation (2016/17 Estimates) Bill, which must follow shortly afterwards—and I refer members to Standing Order 340(1)—give ample opportunity to debate the matter that is the subject of the member’s application. The application is therefore denied.