Urgent Debates Declined — Ihumātao—Findings of the Controller and Auditor-General on Purchase of Land

I have received letters from Nicola Willis and David Seymour seeking to debate, under Standing Order 399, the findings of the Controller and Auditor-General in relation to the purchase of land at Ihumātao. This is a particular case of recent occurrence for which there is ministerial responsibility. The fact that another parliamentary means of debating the subject of the urgent debate application is a relevant consideration for me to consider in deciding whether to accept an application: Speakers’ ruling 207/1. The annual review debate is set down on the Order Paper for today. I note that the Minister of Finance is due to participate in the debate, which covers the performance and current operations of Government agencies. The subject of the applications can be directly addressed in that debate. The applications are therefore denied.