Urgent Debates Declined — Defence Force—Afghan Civilian Deaths Allegations in Hit & Run

I have received a letter from Metiria Turei seeking to debate under Standing Order 389 the allegations made about the New Zealand Defence Force in the book Hit & Run. An urgent debate is a way of holding the Government to account for a particular case of recent occurrence for which it is responsible. There have been a number of rulings by previous Speakers dealing with allegations. It has been held that allegations can never constitute a particular case of recent occurrence, and I refer members to Speakers’ ruling 212/3 and 212/4. The application is declined.