Proposed ‘fast-track’ law could see conservation concerns ignored and projects once rejected for environmental reasons given the green light
New Zealand’s parliament is considering a law that would allow major development projects to bypass environmental approvals – and that should be a cause for extreme alarm.
The proposed Fast-track Approvals Bill emerged from the coalition agreements that enabled a centre-right government to form after last year’s election.
Nicola Wheen and Andrew Geddis are professors of law at the University of Otago.
