Mr SPEAKERI have received a letter from the Hon Annette King seeking to debate under Standing Order 380 the Government announcement today that the Ministry of Social Development is cutting up to 200 jobs, including a team of social workers dedicated to child abuse education. Standing Order 380 requires that the matter for debate be a particular case of recent occurrence, and involve the administrative or ministerial responsibility of the Government. For there to be a particular case of recent occurrence, the event upon which an urgent debate is sought must be an event that has occurred when the application is lodged. The member’s application indicates that a proposal was revealed in May, and that the media have indicated that the Government is set to make an announcement today. An urgent debate cannot be granted on the basis of media speculation. An event occurs at the point in time when a decision is publicly announced. The member has provided no authentication of an actual announcement by the Government today. Every statement in a letter seeking to debate a matter of urgent public importance must be authenticated. Therefore, in accordance with Speaker’s ruling 170/5, the application is declined on that ground.
Hon ANNETTE KING (Deputy Leader—Labour) Link to this
The announcement has subsequently been made. I seek leave for the debate to be held forthwith. Bearing in mind that the Prime Minister has said how important child abuse is in New Zealand, I would like this House to address the matter forthwith.