Urgent Debates Declined — Hon Michael Wood—Auckland Airport, Potential Conflict of Interest

Members, I’ve received a letter from the Hon Paul Goldsmith seeking to debate under Standing Order 399 the management of a possible conflict of interest held by the Hon Michael Wood. Ministers are responsible for their management of conflicts of interest, and where there is a potential conflict of interest with the Minister’s portfolio interests, then there is a legitimate ground for questioning—Speaker’s ruling 165(3). There could well be questions, both oral and in writing, that can be asked and answered about any ministerial actions or decisions Minister Wood may have taken while owning shares in Auckland Airport. The current application does not point to any particular action or decision made by the Minister, rather that there may have been such a decision or action made. It is not up to the Speaker to make the case for an urgent debate. I therefore decline the application.