Environmentalists are sounding the alarm over the Fast Track Approvals Bill, a contentious piece of legislation by the Government that allows companies to bypass standard environmental assessments and safeguards in order to proceed with projects deemed of regional or national significance. With the deadline for submissions on the Bill approaching this Friday, Angeline Greensill, Chairperson of Tainui o Tainui, and Stacey Hill from Kiwis Against Seabed Mining (KASM) joined Aaron in the studio to discuss the government's proposed legislation.
Expressing deep concern about the fast track process, Stacey said, “This fast track is horrifying. The fact that three ministers can wield the power to override all the legislation that protects our environment is just shocking. With time running out until this Friday, it's crucial that we speak up against it.”
Under the Bill, the Ministers of Transport, Infrastructure, and Regional Development – Simeon Brown, Chris Bishop, and Shane Jones, respectively known as the “joint ministers” – are empowered to select projects for swift approval, bypassing not only the Resource Management Act but other legislation including the Wildlife Act, the Public Works Act and the Reserves Act.
This move has drawn criticism from scientists, especially ecologists worried about its potential impact on biodiversity, as well as from various environmental protection groups.
Angeline advocates for the complete elimination of the bill.
“Really, it's an undermining of our democratic rights and the way that Parliament is actually organised. What you have is ministers, with your executive, who are supposed to allow us to have a say through a select committee process.”
In the newly adopted process, a small committee will review submissions and only select ones will proceed to the next stage. This means that not all stakeholders will have the opportunity to speak to their submissions directly.
Critics argue that the bill also violates Te Tiriti o Waitangi, presenting clauses purported to protect tangata whenua rights as mere limitations. While iwi/hapū can reject fast-track proposals for land under completed Treaty settlements or veto coastal developments where customary rights apply, they are otherwise left legally powerless. This leaves them unable to challenge proposals such as seabed mining or developments threatening the water quality of their ancestral lands not yet returned.
Fast Track Projects
While no specific projects have been named, the fast track bill appears poised to accelerate a range of infrastructure projects, including dams, mines and roads, many of which have been stalled or entangled in legal battles. Minister Chris Bishop has reported receiving 200 inquiries about the application process so far.
An example of a project potentially seeking fast-track approval is Trans-Tasman Resources and their seabed mining proposal. After withdrawing from their EPA hearing, they have signalled their intention to apply directly to the ministers.
For a local perspective, Angeline cites the case of aquaculture ventures, highlighting a company seeking consent to establish 700 hectares of mussel spat farms along the Raglan coast despite long standing opposition to such operations.
Presently, a family-owned operation in Kawhia yields roughly 40% of the industry's spat with just 6 hectares of farm. The proposal for a new company to open up 700 hectares is deemed excessive and driven by sheer greed.
“It's absolute greed, absolutely unnecessary. In a space where our people have traditionally fished - as well as given up their customary fishing because we have Māui dolphins out there. Suddenly, we have this application that wants to put this great big monocultural farm type structure out there,” says Angeline.
Not only is it excessive, but the environmental conditions in the Whāingaroa Harbour and coast are unsuitable for such an operation. Under the Fast Track Approvals Bill, projects like the aquaculture farm could go ahead without any opportunity for communities to have their say.
“We've always had an opportunity to stand up and give our reasons why not. This bill will take that away. Even the Treaty of Waitangi isn’t mentioned.
“There's a lot of constitutional lawyers around and I know that they're probably upset. Everyone should be upset, because we were taught that in a democracy that we have a right to have a say - and this is taking that away.” said Angeline.
There are also apprehensions regarding the potential application of the Fast Track Approvals bill to alterations in New Zealand's long standing prohibition of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Regulations currently mandate a stringent approval process for GMO release outside of containment, which is deemed challenging to meet.
Last year, the National Party announced a potential overhaul of the ban in light of new technologies that have been introduced to the sector. Taranaki- King Country MP Barbara Kuriger however has made comments that changes to NZ’s GMO status is unlikely to go through the fast-track process.
“It's a real worry. If those things get out in our community, there's no stopping them, you get horizontal gene transfer right across your country. We're in real trouble.” Said Angeline.
Taking Action
While it can seem daunting to take on big issues like this, the pair say that it’s important to not give up and keep putting pressure on the government and exercise our democratic rights.
“This fast track will put short term profits before people and the environment and it's really not okay, we've got days to tell them it's not okay or be silent after that,” says Stacey.
Stacey and Angeline say that the most immediate way to take action against the Fast Track Approval Bill is to make a submission. The Whaingaroa Raglan Climate Collective will be running a workshop on how to make a submission this Wednesday night from 6pm-8pm.
“Our people don't sit still on things like this. And there's also a whole lot of organisations, organising Hui all around the country for Māori this year. The next one is at Kahungunu, at the end of the month. Even though this process closes on Friday, the push to actually get changes is certainly not going to end this Friday.” said Angeline.
The public can submit their feedback on the new bill until 19 April.