Urgent Debates Declined — Banking Sector—Competition

I’ve received a letter from Arena Williams seeking to debate under Standing Order 399 the lack of competition in the New Zealand banking sector. An ongoing situation such as the one the member has asked to debate does not constitute a particular case of recent occurrence. I refer to Speakers’ rulings 221/2 and 221/3. The Commerce Commission’s draft report was released today, requesting feedback on its preliminary findings. Such a report does not meet the exceptional standard required for an urgent debate—Speaker’s ruling 225/7. Should the Government announce a response to the final report in the future, it may warrant a debate by this House, but that point has not been reached today. The application is, therefore, declined.