Debates — Member Fees—Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board

Members, I’ve received a letter from Lemauga Lydia Sosene seeking to debate under Standing Order 399 the decision to increase the board member fees for the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board. This is a case of recent occurrence for which there is ministerial responsibility. The business of the House should not be set aside just because a ministerial announcement has been made, even though it may be important. There must be an element of urgency that the matter must take precedence over other business: Speakers’ rulings 224/4. The subject of the application is the result of a fees framework set by the Cabinet last year. It doesn’t warrant setting aside the business of the House today.