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.
The disdain that the theatrical Shane Jones and Christopher Bishop show to the public’s democracy and lands is appalling. It is equally alarming that the rest of MPs in the coalition government’s caucus weakly go along with it.
Well spoken CORANZ. I wonder where organisations like Fish and Game, NZDA, Federated Mountain Clubs and the like are?
Apathy is a big, very big obstacle today. I hope these groups are not asleep at the wheel?
Bishop and Jones – the architects – and the MPs who voted for this should be ashamed.
As for corporates they have no social conscie nce.