Urgent Debates Declined — Charter Schools—Announcement of Closure by Minister of Education

I have received a letter from David Seymour seeking to debate, under Standing Order 389, the announcement by the Minister of Education that charter schools will be ended. This is a particular case of recent occurrence; the Minister’s announcement was made on the day he introduced legislation to give effect to it, which was 8 February this year. It is clearly a matter for which there is ministerial responsibility. Changes to the education system are significant matters.

When considering whether a matter requires the urgent attention of the House, the Speaker considers whether there is another parliamentary means of debating it, such as legislation—Speakers’ rulings 197(3) and 199(1). In this case, the Education Amendment Bill, which gives effect to the Minister’s announcement, is on the Order Paper and will soon be available for its first reading. The ending of charter schools will be subject to debate in the House and to select committee scrutiny. In light of that fact, I’m not convinced that the matter warrants a setting aside of the business of the House today. The application is therefore declined.