Madam SPEAKERI have received a letter from Dr Pita Sharples seeking to debate under Standing Order 380 the decision on Thursday by the Solicitor-General not to authorise prosecutions under the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002. I have also received a similar application from Keith Locke. Mr Locke has given no authenticating information with his letter. This in itself is sufficient ground to decline the application—see Speaker’s ruling 160/5.
The announcement in question is a particular case of recent occurrence. However, it is merely an announcement that prosecutions are not to be authorised. It does not contain any substantive policy changes or require the immediate attention of the House. The Solicitor-General has invited the Attorney-General to consider referring the Act to the Law Commission to consider whether it should be under review, and this has now been done. Furthermore, members took the opportunity to comment on the Solicitor-General’s decision during the debate on the Terrorism Suppression Amendment Bill later on Thursday afternoon. The bill remains on the Order Paper.
In these circumstances I am not persuaded that there should be a special debate on the subject today. It can be considered over a longer time frame than today. Both applications are therefore declined.