First reading The Fast-track Approvals Bill was first introduced into the
New Zealand Parliament on 7 March 2024. The deadline for public submissions closed on 19 April 2024.
Select committee stage By 14 May 2024, the Bill had received a total of 27,000 written submissions. 2,900 submitters asked to appear in-person before Parliament's environment select committee. Committee chair and National MP
David McLeod said that the committee expected to hear from 1,100 submitters (550 organisations and 550 individuals) over a six-week period. Due to the large volume of submitters, the committee decided to filter the number of oral submissions using a ballot system. Companies and entities were given ten minutes to make their submissions while individuals will be given five minutes. Since conservation groups such as
Forest & Bird and the
Environmental Defence Society sent their supporters template messages, the committee opted to prioritise hearing from individuals who made unique submissions. Opposition
Green Party MP
Lan Pham and
Labour MP
Rachel Brooking objected to the ballot system, saying it would limit public input on the legislation. In his submission John Ryan, the
Controller and Auditor-General of New Zealand, expressed concern that the Bill did not require the Joint Ministers to comply with its conflict of interest mechanism, provide reasoning for approving an application or dissenting with the expert panel's recommendations, and called for stronger transparency and accountability safeguards in the legislation. Similarly Chief Ombudsman
Peter Boshier expressed concern that the fast-track consenting regime would create "enormous executive powers" and opined it needed more "checks and balances." The
New Zealand Infrastructure Commission and the
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment,
Simon Upton, have both raised concerns about the longevity of the proposed legislation, with both suggesting that commercial projects be excluded from the scope. Both the Infrastructure Commission and Upton suggested that focusing on projects that have benefits for the public (e.g. roading, electricity generation and electricity transmission) would result in a broader public buy-in, increasing the chances that subsequent governments would not overturn the legislation. In addition, Upton expressed concerns that the proposed legislation downgraded both the environment and the role of the
Environment Minister, could lead to sup-optimal outcomes through poor decision making, and heightened litigation risk. The Commissioner recommended significant changes to the Bill. The
Ministry for the Environment expressed concern that the initial version of the Fast-track Approvals legislation could marginalise local voices, violate Treaty of Waitangi commitments, adversely affect human and environmental health, expose ministers to legal risks, approve prohibited projects and erode the value of
Conservation land. While the Ministry supported a standalone fast-track bill, it did not think that "this version was neither the cheapest, nor the fastest." On 25 August, Cabinet agreed to recommend five changes to the legislation to the Environment Select Committee. First, an expert panel rather than ministers would be responsible for approving fast-track projects. Second, projects would be referred to an expert panel by the Infrastructure Minister, who would be required to consult with the Environment Minister and other relevant portfolio ministers during the referral process. Third, the timeframes for consultation at the referral and panel stages would be extended to give more time for those affected by the projects to participate. Fourth, expert panels would include individuals with expertise on environmental, Māori development and te ao Māori issues. Iwi/tribal authority representatives would only be included in the panels if required by Treaty of Waitangi settlements. Fifth, applicants would be required to provide information on previous decisions by approving authorities including court decisions in their applications to the referring minister. Labour and the Greens' environmental spokespersons
Rachel Brooking and
Lan Pham described the changes as insufficient to addressing the environmental impact of these projects. Te Rūnanga O Toa Rangatira chief executive
Helmut Modlik welcomed the Government for addressing iwi concerns but expressed concerns about the Government's preference to only consult certain iwi based on Treaty settlements.
Second reading On 13 November 2024, Parliament voted by a margin of 68 (National, ACT and NZ First) to 49 (Labour and Greens) votes to accept the amendments recommended by the Environment select committee. The bill passed its second reading by a margin of 68 to 54 votes. While National, ACT and NZ First supported the Bill, it was opposed by the Labour, Green parties and Te Pāti Māori.
Committee of the whole house On 10 December 2024, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop submitted an amendment paper with several changes to the proposed legislation during the Committee of the House stage of the Fast-Track Approvals Bill. Based on advice from
Clerk of the New Zealand House of Representatives David Wilson, Assistant Speaker
Barbara Kuriger expressed concern that the listing of projects under the Fast-Track Bill benefitted specific people and ruled that it should be classified as private legislation and excluded from the Bill. The Government disagreed and recalled the
Speaker Gerry Brownlee, who overturned Kuriger's decision and ruled that the Bill's list of projects did not grant private benefit. Brownlee's decision was criticised by the opposition Labour and Green parties, with Labour MP and Shadow leader of the House
Kieran McAnulty stating that Labour had lost confidence in Brownlee's role as Speaker of the House.
Third reading The Fast-track approvals Bill passed its third reading on 17 December 2024 along party lines. While the National, ACT and NZ First parties supported it, it was opposed by the Labour, Green and Te Pāti Māori. The third reading was disrupted by environmental activists from 350 Aotearoa who unfurled banners from the public gallery. RMA Reform Minister and National MP Chris Bishop said that the bill would help accelerate the building of much-needed infrastructure while ACT MP
Cameron Luxton said the bill would boost productivity and ease the resource consent process. Conversely, Labour's environmental spokesperson Rachel Brooking expressed concern that the legislation would prioritise short-term profit over long-term sustainable environmental legislation. The Green party also vowed to revoke fast-track approved projects if elected into government. In response, NZ First MP Shane Jones likened Te Pāti Māori's proposed policy to the
Venezuelan government's nationalisation policies. ==Application process==