Fast Track Bill threatens environment, climate and reputation

The fast-track legislation passing its second reading in Parliament is another step towards environmental ruin.

“This flawed legislation poses a huge threat to our environment, and spells bad news for our climate and international reputation,” says the Green Party Spokesperson for the Environment, Lan Pham.

“The environment provides the basis for life itself. We must be responsible stewards of the natural world which sustains us, and ditch the regressive exploitative and extractive approach that benefits an already wealthy few at the expense of all of us.

“This Bill in its current form would push our climate targets even further out of reach while threatening the progress we have made so far.

“The sheer lack of environmental protections in this fast-track regime, and the absence of scrutiny around the projects it will allow, breaches a bottom line for New Zealanders who do not want to see our natural world bulldozed for private gain.

“Despite the vast majority of submitters opposing this Bill, the Government is ignoring the voice of the people and ploughing ahead with this reckless legislation.

“The Government should dump this Bill which is geared towards helping a narrow group of business interests. We note that the Auditor-General is investigating how ministers have handled conflicts of interest in the fast-track regime.

“It is outrageous that prohibited activities, projects that have been strongly opposed by communities or ‘zombie projects’ previously rejected by the courts could be given a lifeline under what is currently drafted.

“Any companies thinking of taking advantage of a fast-track process that shortcuts our democracy and overrides environmental protections should be well aware that a Green Government could result in a loss of consent, without compensation,” says Lan Pham.

Action

How to get involved - Treaty Principles

Information on how to make a submission, volunteer or run your own event.

Action

Submit for Climate Action

Submit today to ask the Government to commit to strong Climate Change targets.

Action

Treaty Principles - Make a submission

Join our submission. Let's make it clear that we do not support the Treaty Principles bill.

Action

Ditch the Bootcamps - Sign our petition

Sign our petition demanding an end to bootcamps for children.

Action

Build Dunedin Hospital

Take our poll on how the Government should spend its money, and email Christopher Luxon telling him your thoughts.

Action

Oil & Gas Quick Submissions 2024

Sign the quick submission to save the oil & gas ban!

Action

Stop Fast-track Destruction

Join our call to stop the Fast-track Approvals Bill.

Action

Protect te reo Māori

Sign our petition asking Minister Erica Stanford to keep prioritising the teaching of te reo Māori.

Action

Cut the Coal Petition | Join the movement

Fight back: Tell the government that coal mining is not our future.

Action

Protect Our Freshwater

Join our Green MPs in calling for the government to protect freshwater. Proposed changes to the Resource Management Act threaten New Zealand's...

Volunteer

The Greens are proud to be driven by passionate people like you. Today we need your help to take action on the biggest issues facing Aotearoa. Volu...

Action

Expand Voting

Now more than ever, young people in Aotearoa are impacted by Government decisions, and they deserve to have a say. We are calling on all Members of...

Action

End Intensive Winter Grazing

Sign the petition to Labour Ministers, to move faster in bringing regulations into force and end intensive winter grazing.

Action

Healthy Oceans 2022

Join our Healthy Oceans Crew to help us keep the health and protection of our oceans high on the Labour Government’s political agenda.

Action

Local Events

We have activists across Aotearoa / New Zealand who are working hard to build a brighter future for our kids and grandkids. This page lists upcomin...

Latest Environment Announcements

Story

Government’s move to monetise access to nature a slippery slope

The Green Party is voicing serious concerns over the Government’s proposal to charge for access to public conservation land, released today.

Fast-Track, off the rails: Submitters show strong opposition to Bill

Despite resounding public opposition, the fast-track legislation is being pushed through Parliament with provisions that could have real consequenc...

Govt’s shameful backtrack on marine conservation

The Green Party has condemned the Government’s late change to allow commercial fishing in protected areas in the Hauraki Gulf.

Trojan Horse approach to fast-track projects threatens environment

The Government’s fast-track list is another example of its reckless approach to the environment and disregard for due process.

Greens call for public to back Wrybill in BOTY and beyond

The Green Party is calling on the public to support the Ngutu Pare Wrybill not just in this year’s Bird of the Year competition but also in pushing...

Fast track still on track to environmental destruction

Our environment remains at risk despite the Government's proposed changes to its controversial fast-track legislation.