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Concerns raised over fast-tracking of infrastructure decisions

Infrastructure news
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The Labour party has voiced concerns over legislation granting three ministers authority to fast-track infrastructure projects, citing risks of bias, especially regarding potential political donations influencing decisions.

Environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking told state media she had identified businesses on the government’s list of invitees for fast-tracked consents that have donated to the National party.

The law change would empower ministers to approve projects regardless of expert recommendations, biodiversity risks, or previous court decisions, a move Brooking said was ‘risky’.

The legislation is under select committee consideration, with the final list of projects yet to be determined.

While 200 entities received letters on applying for fast-track consents, Minister Chris Bishop said inclusion did not guarantee project submission, saying the list of correspondents was ‘comprehensive’.

Concerns over potential breach of international trade agreements have also been raised by environmental groups.

Public submissions closed soon after the release of the list, with a deadline for project submissions set for May 3, allowing both public and private sectors to apply.

Image credit: EJ Yao

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7 COMMENTS

  1. Labour are hardly in a position to whinge,. they did little to improve housing and infrastructure when in office. That said, this smacks of US style project cowboyism and potentially could lead to cronyism. Public servants , which is what these so called Ministers are, should not be approving projects, by-passing the legitimate process put in place to ensure work is undertaken safely, properly and correctly. God knows there are enough bad infrastructure projects out there as it is, even with these safe guards in place.

  2. This is rich from Labour considering they were the kings of fast tracking laws under urgency and secrecy all through their time in power.

  3. ” Concerns Over Legislation Granting Three Ministers Authority To Fast-Track Infrastructure Projects, Citing Risks Of Bias, Especially Regarding Potential Political Donations Influencing Decisions”

    Daily T, you had me on the floor.
    But alas, it’s not comedy. It’s reality.

    Analyzing the content:
    “wiki…Rachel Brooking has a double degree in ecology and law from the University of Otago. Prior to entertaining Parliament, Brooking worked as a lawyer. She specialised in environmental, resource management and local government law, and worked for a period for the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment in Wellington.”
    Xcuse me, but could that not make her instantly a hanger-on to contemporary succor?
    Rachel Brooking is married to Chris Jackson, a cancer specialist/oncologist who was the medical director for the Cancer Society of New Zealand. They have three children. Her father Tom Brooking is an emeritus history professor and retired lecturer at the University of Otago.
    So given all that, firstly respect to amity and achievement.

    Aside from Rachel’s desires, her husband, a cancer expert, likewise should hold high standards for serving humanity and ought to be aware and therefore ought to be certainly at the forefront of covid vaxx repentance and new accountability, as he has witnessed what becomes known as “sudden and unexplained deaths” and “turbo cancer”, right Chris?

    And Rachel’s father Tom surely is aware of revisionism in his field, whereby disseminated narrative is not factual.

    So, the three of them ought to have some expertise in analysis.

    Yet, why do they/does Rachel fail to be good citizens within the wider community? Why are they not engaged? Why are they not truthful? WTH do you Rachel utter such opinion, when YOU Rachel have served the last totalitarian fascist mafia (look up the meaning and you will find government/pharma fascism) without ever raising such concerns?
    But I digress (and this will be shorter):
    “Law change would empower ministers to approve projects regardless of expert recommendations, biodiversity risks, or previous court decisions.”
    Frankly, Rachel, just stf up.
    After years of totalitarism, We The People had enough of yoourse agents’ rorting and corrupted drivel. Covid crimes will never be forgotten, neither will be corruption, which WILL be uncovered, nor historical lies!, so yoourse better come clean as long as you can. (Ask dad what ‘change of confidence’ entails).
    Make no mistake, We The People empower ministers.
    We elected them.
    YOU just regurgitate an opinion (…ponder to donate to DTNZ for letting them graciously publish your whinge.)
    And if the political grifters cannot sense the changed reality: THEY WILL have to answer We The People!

    So again, given formerly acknowledged amity and achievement, where is your insight, answerability and accountability?
    Give us an answer, but yoourse likely does not read what people really think, ay?

  4. Yeah I am not a fan of fast tracking stuff and taking out the usual checks and balances. Processes should be efficient and straightforward and there would be no need to fast track anything. But, like everything else, everything gets lost in the overbearing inefficient bureaucracy.

    This country needs a shake up and a clear out and it’s time for our so call public servants to do some real work and the ones who aren’t required should find a real job for once.

  5. We have seen that fast tracking is the method used to avoid public scrutiny in order to push dodgy deals through.
    This globalist govt IS DODGY.
    THEY ARE MURDEROUS CRIMINALS.
    There is no more right to govern while the democide continues.
    I do not obey known liar murderers nor their minions.
    Time this criminal gang was terminated.

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