Special Report
A national angling conservation group opposes the government’s proposed legislation for fast track approvals for development projects.
Principal reasons for the opposition is the loss of the public’s democratic right to have “a fair say” and the vital need for a government free from corruption, said Casey Cravens of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Federation Freshwater Anglers.
“This bill is the worst environmental legislation since Muldoon’s National Development Act of 1979. The Fast-track Approvals Bill violates public interest and would lead to rash exploitation of natural resources with no regard for environmental consequences,” he said.
“It is short-sighted, lacks transparency, and ignores an evidence-based approach to decision making. This legislation is profoundly undemocratic and may violate many of our most basic laws—from the Resource Management Act to the Treaty of Waitangi to the Conservation Act, the Reserves Act and the Wildlife Act.”
The bill’s proposed processes for “fast-tracking” adds further to the erosion of democracy that the National Party started when in 2010, it sacked the democratically elected government of Environment Canterbury, he said.
“As the Environmental Defence Society has pointed out, this is ministerial overreach.”
Cravens also called for the public comment period on the bill – which was limited to two weeks
and under-promoted – be extended so the public could catch up to speed on the most sweeping constitutional change in almost 50 years.
The New Zealand Federation of Freshwater Anglers (NZFFA) is a politically independent, advocacy for trout and salmon recreational fishing, the habitat of rivers, lakes and streams and the environment generally.
The bill proposes by-passing the normal select committee process where the public can voice their concerns. It also privileges development over sustainability.
Don’t Diminish Democracy
New Zealanders deserve affordable housing, a restored responsive public health system and a robust economy, Cravens said.
“But the solution is not in diminishing democracy and environmental science but rather in cutting needless bureaucracy.”
If passed into law, the bill will result in three Ministers having the sole final decision without any public input.
The Ministers have unbridled power to ignore public opinion and the public interest by
- By excluding the public and failing to provide reasons for fast-tracking certain projects, the approval process creates the appearance that corporate consultants and other money-driven individuals will have free reign to lobby ministers without scrutiny.
- One minister will decide the composition of the Fast Track Advisory Group, with the sole aim intensive development with no attempt at sustainable policy.
- Appointments to the proposed Fast Track Advisory Group will be entirely at the discretion of a minister whose sole objective will be to increase economic growth. No criteria for membership of the group has been listed.
On potential corruption, Mr Cravens said there were past examples of big business donating to a political party or candidate in return for later favourable considerations. This has long been the case with New Zealand’s freshwater crisis and also with the sea fishing industry.
Injudicious
Advice indicates there are fast-track provisions already in place which enable reasonable decision-making on major projects within reasonable time without trampling over environmental protections.
“The NZFFA understands that approvals, on average, are under 100 days, a reasonable time for any proposal and importantly a reasonable time for public input,” he said.
The Federation considers the action of minister Chris Bishop in canvassing commercial interests even before public submissions have been heard, as injudicious and pre-empting the select committee process.
“The Federation joins the calls of the environmental community and others for reopening the public comment period on this legislation, which was only two weeks and under-promoted,” he said.
Contact: Casey Cravens 027 346 6903
This is I total disregard for the rights of New Zealanders democratic rights, this Bii will only benefit a few elites, this is blatant corruption.
This fast-track bill shows an absolute disregard for democracy and gives open welcoming doors to developers.
Every MP has pledged to democracy and on that vow, cannot support this bill and stay true to their values.
I’ve noted National with 38 percent of the vote, pre-election told voters it was “passionate about safeguarding New Zealand’s unique natural environment, abundant native biodiversity, pristine waters and spectacular landscapes for future generations.” This will test National’s and its MPs integrity. This bill is totally contrary to National’s manifesto.
I note Simeon Brown and Christopher Bishop are National MPs.
Whenever I see a move like this I’m reminded of a brilliant quote from the late and former president of US, John F Kennedy. He said way back then, “The race between education and erosion, between wisdom and waste, has not run its course —— Each generation must deal anew with the raiders, with the scramble to use public resources for private profit and with the tendency to prefer short-run profits to long-run necessities. The nation’s battle to preserve the common estate is far from won — the crisis may be quiet but but it is urgent.”
This bill is threatening democracy. I read recently that in a recent poll, 65 percent of revealed New Zealanders believe that government and the economy has a strong, dominant bias favouring the rich and powerful.
If this bill is passed and New Zealanders elected representatives (i.e. MPs) are going to allow the public interest to be be ignored to big business favouritism of companies and corporations, then it will be a sad, bleak outlook for not only the environment of the people but for society too.
Our previous government ran seriously amok .. in a way many of us never thought possible, here in New Zealand. They have left carnage behind .. in terms of our society’s social, cultural, democratic, environmental, conservation, mental, physical, spiritual and economic wellbeing.
Our new government have much to try and patch up, in a very constrained environment .. while our productive economy is treading water (bordering on recession), and our public debt has ballooned to astronomical levels.
We all understand the meritorious intent behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill.
However, in their efforts to do things better .. our new government are actually tripping themselves are .. PERPETUATING THE ATTACKS ON OUR DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES WE SAW UNDER THE LAST GOVERNMENT.
Which fulfils my “world view” on the way so-called democracy actually works, when governments are formed.
Successive government’s don’t magically solve our problems. They don’t fix things up, in any spectacular way.
They just find new ways to screw things up.
Which .. especially when you helped vote them in .. is incredibly disappointing …
This proposal is very disappointing for me as I had a lot of faith in the coalition government when they formed. It’s no wonder the public are increasingly skeptical of politicians these days, they have good reason to feel that way. Voters will remember this well if it goes ahead. I would never have thought a change like this would have been proposed in our country. Get your act together National!
Fast Track !! Roll on the Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is certainly flat out , undoing the “Fish Plates ” >> joining the Rails ? No doubt they will all fall off the Jigger at this rate .
Like Paul I’m losing faith in the coalition but I don’t want to go back to the Labour and Greens wacky mob.
I voted for NZF but Shane Jones is like a mad dog. (That used to be the term for Richard Prebble minister in 1980s Labour government selling off public assets to his rich corporate mates.)
I don’t want the looney Greens and Labour back, so yes Paul, what is the alternative? Winston Peters needs to rein Jones in. Jones is a political liability to NZ First.