Mr SPEAKER: I have received a letter from Gareth Hughes seeking to debate under Standing Order 386 the Government’s measures to protect Māui’s dolphins announced today. This is a matter that involves ministerial responsibility. However, for there to be a case of recent occurrence there must be a new situation of importance or a new development in an existing situation of sufficient importance itself to warrant the business of the House being set aside. The test is a high one. The authentication for the member’s application reveals that the further measures announced today are being put in place while the threat management plan is being reviewed. 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 needs to be something exceptional, particularly where a review is already under way. In these circumstances I am not persuaded that the setting aside of the House’s business for an urgent debate today can be justified. The application is, therefore, declined.

GARETH HUGHES (Green) : I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. May I also draw your attention to, I think, Speaker’s ruling 191/2. I understand that this afternoon the Gazette notice is being sent from the Minister’s office. What this means is that there will not be another opportunity for this House to debate this important issue, given that a Governor-General never in our country’s history—

Mr SPEAKER: Order! I have given the member fair licence in this House today. The member is now disputing the Speaker’s ruling. Those matters were all taken into account by the Speaker in arriving at my decision.