Submission on "Fast Track Approvals Bill"
Aka: Muldoonism 2.0? Yeah, nah.
The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.
The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. In short, it’s a rubbish bill from a rubbish government that is short-sighted and bereft of original ideas.
I have no doubt that this, and many others opposing this Bill, will be ignored.
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I/We wish to make the following comments:
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Kia ora!
The following is my submission on the so-called "Fast Track Approvals Bill" (FTAB for short.)
It is my understanding that the FTAB confers powers to three Ministers of the Crown, none of whom includes the Minister for the Environment.
I find it incredible that issues confronting our environment will not be considered by the relevant Minister. (Even if only to rubber-stamp.) This is especially relevant when considering climate change and the steadily worsening climate crisis. After all, it was a National Minister, Paula Bennett, who signed the Paris Accords on 23 April 2016. Did she make a mistake? Did she think she was signing something else? Perhaps autographs for adoring fans? (Should've gone to Spec-savers.)
The FTAB confers power to three government ministers not seen since the Muldoon Administration. And we all know how most of his "Think Big" projects turned out.
It will not take long for the media and New Zealanders in general to begin referring to any new fast-tracked projects as Think Big 2.0. Not exactly a good look for any government to be tarred with a Muldoonist brush.
As mining, fishery, and other extractive industries are involved in Mr Chris Bishop's list of Fast Tracked Stakeholders List, released on 19 April, we have the potential for conflicts of interest when it comes to campaign donations. This has already been canvassed in the public domain:
NZ First fisheries donations laid bare
23/02/2024 - Newsroom - Laura Walters
Fisheries wasn’t the only industry to contribute to [Shane] Jones’ more than $95,500 in candidate donations.
He received $3000 from Northland Forest, $5000 from J Swap – a logistics firm dealing with construction, transport and forestry – as well as $15,000 from high-profile property developer Andrew Krukziener.
By sheer coincidence, the Honourable Mr Shane Jones is now Fisheries Minister.
Not too flash, eh?
There is also the prospect of mining being permitted in Conservation lands. The last time a National government "tested the waters" by suggesting mining in Schedule 4 DoC lands, the public backlash was swift and clear:
Huge protest says no to mining on conservation land
1 May, 2010 01:45 PM - NZ Herald
An estimated 50,000 marchers joined one of the biggest protests in Auckland for decades today, to give the Government a firm message to stay away from mining on conservation land.
It would be a brave government that risks antagonising the New Zealand public a second time on such matters. But who knows; maybe the current crop of Ministers are feeling lucky?
Perhaps the strongest point that our esteemed Prime Minister, Ministers, and government MPs might consider is that the extensive powers within this Bill are not restricted solely to this Administration.
A Fast Tracking Bill would have been highly useful for the previous government to implement their 3Waters reforms; amalgamation of TVNZ and RNZ; and other projects.
A future Labour-led administration will be able to make excellent use of fast-tracking - in ways that National, ACT, and NZFirst will most likely not foresee nor appreciate.
And it will have this current government to thank.
(In case there is any doubt, I oppose this Bill.)
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I/We wish to make the following recommendations:
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Scrap the Bill.
Start from scratch.
As a certain cheese ad on TV states, good things take time.
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Good submission Frank. Let’s hope the public will turn out in large numbers again when necessary to give this bought and paid for coalition a strong message. Like get ….
Great work Frank unfortunately with the current Labour Party Line up I am not 100%they will ever be a government again under the current leadership before humans stand on mars .😊