The Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations has strongly opposed the Fast Track Approvals Amendment Bill which the coalition government has closed submissions on.
“This Bill should not proceed. It is an affront to the New Zealand public’s environment and public lands. The original Fast Track Approvals Bill, has greatly diminish democracy with a bypassing of the select committee process and replacing that with a panel of “experts”, i.e. political appointments,” said Andi Cockroft CORANZ chairman.
CORANZ said the Bill will benefit only corporate exploiters whose sole purpose is to maximise profits. The public interest aspect will be ignored. In addition it rides roughshod over the democratic rights of the people.
“There are no safeguards with appeal rights limited to those from whom the “expert” panel will invite submissions. The “expert” panel will be appointed by the minister.”
CORANZ also said there is excessive ministerial power in defining a “significant or regional benefit.”
“There is also excessive power given to exploiters who will be able to question any prospective panel members integrity and credibility.”
The power given to Ministers to dictate to the Environmental Protection Authority is unprecedented. It diminishes the credibility of the EPA.
In addition there is excessive power granted to ministers, i.e. government to change the law by Order in Council.”
All in all, the proposals are an attack on democracy, the public interest and the public’s environment,’ said Andi Cockroft.
Jones, bishop and coroporate mates are a toxic group. I wonder what political donations will accrue out of ugly law like this?
Has it occurred to Shane Jones, Chris Bishop and the sycophantic MPs who support them, a MP is a public servant whose salary comes from the public purse. Public Servants – first and foremost!
It is not in the public interest to ride roughshod over the environment. Conservation is the WISE use of resources.
Good on the organization for standing up on this issue.
There will be an election next year.
The majority could decide to fire the representatives of the National, Labour and Green parties and hire some new people to serve the will of the majority.
That’s unlikely to happen because modern elections are only about promises, lies and bribes that are never fulfilled.
That could change if enough “common people” became more politically aware, active, involved and influential in the corrupted political Game of Thrones.
That won’t happen.
The decline, destruction and failure of our western civilization will just continue until it ends in Chaos.