Urgent Debates Declined — United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child—Fifth Periodic Report Presented by the New Zealand Government

I have received a letter from Metiria Turei seeking to debate under Standing Order 389 the report of the Chief Inspector of Corrections on organised prisoner fighting and access to contraband at the Mt Eden Corrections Facility. This is a particular case of recent concurrence involving ministerial responsibility. It is absolutely critical that the public has confidence in our corrections system; for that reason, last year I agreed to an urgent debate on the cancelling of Serco’s contract to manage Mt Eden. Although the report highlights matters of significance and concern, they were largely addressed in the urgent debate at that time. I am not convinced that the latest developments warrant the further setting aside of the House’s time; for that reason, the application is declined.

I have also received a letter from Andrew Little seeking to debate under Standing Order 389 the report of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child on the fifth periodic report presented by the New Zealand Government. The report was released on 7 October, so it is a particular case of recent occurrence. However, there is no administrative or ministerial responsibility of the Government for a report of the United Nations committee, which is a prerequisite for granting an urgent debate under Standing Order 389(2)(b). The application is, therefore, declined.