Urgent Debates Declined — Disability Commissioner—Report on Support for Disabled People and Whānau during Omicron

I have received a letter from Jan Logie seeking to debate, under Standing Order 399, the release of the Disability Commissioner’s report inquiring into the support of disabled people and whānau during Omicron. This is a particular case of recent occurrence for which there is ministerial responsibility. The release of a report may warrant an urgent debate, but this must be exceptional, especially when working through a report’s recommendations will take some time—Speaker’s ruling 208/6. The Government’s COVID response and the recommendations of this report cover several ministerial portfolios, an important one of which is health, and I note that members will have a chance to question the Minister during the annual review debate this evening. The release of this report does not warrant the setting aside of the business of the House today. The application is declined.

I declare the House in committee for further consideration of the Appropriation (2020/21 Confirmation and Validation) Bill.