Urgent Debates Declined — Budget Policy Statement

Members, I have received a letter from the Hon Dr Megan Woods, seeking to debate, under Standing Order 399, the Budget Policy Statement. This is a particular case of recent occurrence for which there is ministerial responsibility. However, the Standing Orders provide a mechanism for debating the Budget Policy Statement after it has been examined by the Finance and Expenditure Committee—Standing Order 340. In light of that fact, the Budget Policy Statement is now before a select committee and it will be debated in due course. It is, therefore, not appropriate to hold an urgent debate today. The application is, therefore, declined.