Urgent Debates Declined — Department of Corrections—Failure to Prevent Prisoners Sending Letters

I have received a letter from David Seymour seeking to debate under Standing Order 389 the failure of the Department of Corrections to prevent prisoners from sending letters from prisons. This is a particular case of recent occurrence for which there is ministerial responsibility. Public confidence in our corrections system is critical, particularly when it comes to matters relating to the 15 March shootings. However, I have also received a letter from the Hon Dr Nick Smith seeking to debate the resignation of the Government Statistician and the report of the independent review of New Zealand’s 2018 census. This is also a particular case of recent occurrence for which there is ministerial responsibility. The resignation of a public servant would not usually warrant an urgent debate, but the census is of great significance to the public and to this House. There can only be one urgent debate each day. Where I receive more than one application that I consider would otherwise justify a debate, I must choose the most urgent, under Standing Order 391.

In light of the fact that the House has had an opportunity to respond to a ministerial statement on the failures of the Department of Corrections, I’m inclined to select Dr Smith’s application for debate. That approach enables the House to debate both issues today. The Minister of Corrections has announced that the Government will review the Corrections Act 2004 to ensure that it is fit for purpose. I would consider a further application for urgent debate following the results of that review.