Urgent Debates Declined — Solid Energy—Sale of Mines

I have received a letter from the Hon David Parker seeking to debate under Standing Order 389 the announcement that mines owned by Solid Energy have been sold. This is a particular case of recent occurrence involving ministerial responsibility. Last year I considered an application for an urgent debate when Solid Energy was placed into voluntary administration. At that time the longer-term outcome was not known. The outcome is now known. The test for whether a particular case requires the immediate attention of the House is a high one. It requires the matter to be of such importance that it justifies the House spending a substantial part of the sitting in debating it. I am not convinced that the matter has such an element of urgency that it must take precedence over other business of the House. I note that the annual report of Solid Energy was presented to the House today. There will be an opportunity to examine its performance and the current developments during the Commerce Committee’s annual review and the subsequent debate. The application is, therefore, declined.