Summarised by Centrist
The government has revised its Fast-track Approvals Bill, removing ministers’ final decision-making power on infrastructure projects. Instead, decisions will now rest with an expert panel. “We have listened to the concerns of many submitters,” said RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop.
Despite the changes, environmental groups argue that the bill remains heavily biased towards development, with critics like Russel Norman warning that economic criteria still override environmental protections.
