Urgent Debates Declined — Auditor-General’s Report—Review of University of Waikato’s Procurement Services from Joyce Advisory Services Ltd

I received an urgent debate letter from the Hon Dr Deborah Russell seeking to debate, under Standing Order 399, the Auditor-General’s review of the University of Waikato’s procurement of services from Joyce Advisory Services Ltd. This is a particular case of recent occurrence. However, there is no ministerial responsibility for an Auditor-General’s report. The Auditor-General is an Officer of Parliament responsible to the Speaker—Speakers’ rulings 218/1 and 218/3. Urgent debates have been permitted when Governments have responded to an Officer of Parliament’s report. However, no response was disclosed in the member’s letter. The application is declined.