Urgent Debates — Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update 2024—Release

Members, I’ve received a letter from the Hon Barbara Edmonds seeking to debate under Standing Order 399 the release of the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU). Normally, urgent debate applications must be received an hour before the House sits. The Speaker has discretion to consider applications received after that time but before the House sits—Standing Order 399 and Speakers’ Ruling 215/1. The HYEFU was released at 1 p.m. and the application received shortly afterwards, so I’ve considered it. This is a particular case of recent occurrence for which there is ministerial responsibility. While not every release of Budget information will give rise to an urgent debate, the application today warrants setting aside the business of the House. Therefore, after oral questions, I’ll call on the Hon Barbara Edmonds to move that the House take note of a matter of urgent public importance.