Urgent Debates Declined — Revitalising the Gulf—Government Strategy

I’ve received a letter from the Hon Eugenie Sage and Chlöe Swarbrick seeking to debate under Standing Order 399 the release by the Government of Revitalising the Gulf—Government action on the Sea Change Plan. This is a particular case of recent occurrence for which there is ministerial responsibility. The test for whether a matter requires the immediate attention of the House is a high one. The matter is, undoubtedly, an important one. The strategy is to be implemented over time, and there will be further opportunities to debate the success of each element of it. Implementing parts of the strategy requires legislation. While the application comes close, it does not have a sufficient element of urgency to warrant setting aside the business of the House today. The application is therefore declined. It could, however, be the subject of an application to the Business Committee for a special debate.