Urgent Debates Declined — Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority—Inquiry into Conflicts of Interest

I have received a letter from Dr Megan Woods seeking to debate under Standing Order 389 the report and referral to the Serious Fraud Office following a State Services Commission - initiated inquiry by Michael Heron QC into allegations of conflicts of interest and the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, and I have received supplementary information in respect of this application. This is a particular case of recent occurrence involving ministerial responsibility. As the member notes in her application, any application of impropriety relating to the conduct of public sector employees is a serious one.

In light of the fundings of the report, the State Services Commission has referred the matter to the Serious Fraud Office to consider whether any of the activity is of a potentially criminal nature that requires further investigation. The matter is now with the Serious Fraud Office for investigation. The House is not prevented from debating matters that are under investigation, but it is not likely to assist the administration of justice to do so. While this matter may receive further attention from the House in the future, I do not consider it appropriate to set aside the business of the House today to debate a matter that has just become the subject of a criminal investigation, and the application is therefore declined.