Urgent Debates Declined — Pike River Mine Disaster—Video Footage

I have received a letter from the Rt Hon Winston Peters seeking to debate, under Standing Order 389, the emergence of video footage from inside the Pike River mine. The purpose of an urgent debate is to hold the Government to account for an action for which it is responsible. There must be a distinct governmental responsibility for the particular case that is sought to debate. I refer members to Speaker’s ruling 207/2. There is no ministerial responsibility for the release of the footage from inside the mine, and that is the case that the Rt Winston Peters has sought to debate. Therefore, the application is declined.

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