Speaker’s Rulings — Urgent Debates—Applications Submitted during Urgency

I’ve had a request for an urgent debate from the Hon Grant Robertson seeking to debate, under Standing Order 399, the Government’s mini-Budget. It’s not generally possible to hold an urgent debate during urgency. That is because an urgent matter is part of general business held at the start of a sitting day—Standing Order 66(1). Until urgency ends and the House adjourns, it’s considered to be a continuous sitting day. We won’t have any more general business until we have a new sitting day. Therefore, there is no opportunity to consider an application for an urgent debate at present. The only way to hold an urgent debate would be for the member to seek leave of the House.

Point of order. I seek leave of the House for an urgent debate to be held on the Government’s mini-Budget immediately following question time, using the allocation of calls normally allocated for an urgent debate.

Leave is sought. Is there any objection?

💬 Hon Members: Yes.

💬 Rt Hon Winston Peters: Point of order, Mr Speaker.

I’m on my feet, though.

💬 Rt Hon Winston Peters: Well, it’s a point—

No. When I’m on my feet, you can’t do anything. I’m in total control here. Have a seat. Take a seat. [Rt Hon Winston Peters sits down] Right—I’ll sit down.

These are early days, Mr Speaker. You’re quite right, but, logically, if you didn’t sit down, I couldn’t have my point of order. My point of order is very simple, and I couldn’t hear very clearly, but I thought I heard some people from the Labour Party saying no as well.

That is not a point of order. It’s not at all helpful to the order of the House.

💬 Hon Grant Robertson: It’s also not true.

Whether or not it’s true is something that the House itself will determine, but I would very much doubt that it is the case.