Urgent Debates Declined — Pike River Mine Disaster—Drift Re-entry and Video Footage

I have further received a letter from Andrew Little seeking to debate, under Standing Order 389, the decision not to re-enter the Pike River mine after the release of video footage from inside the mine. The purpose of an urgent debate is to hold the Government to account for an action for which it is responsible. Again, I refer members to Speaker’s ruling 207/2. Several previous Speakers have ruled that the absence of an action on the part of the Government is not a particular case of recent occurrence—Speakers’ ruling 212/2. The Prime Minister has stated that the emergence of the footage does not change the Government’s decision on re-entering the mine. No new Government policy or action has been announced. Therefore, that application is also declined.