PCE submission on the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has submitted on the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill. He has detailed concerns that the Bill will undermine the legitimacy of the fast-track process and the robustness of its decisions.

He says the changes proposed in the Bill would have the effect of making approval of applications almost inevitable. It proposes increasing the power of Ministers by introducing tailor-made Government policy statements and giving Ministers greater directive powers to control EPA processes. It represents a significant expansion in Executive power when it comes to dealing with publicly owned resources and environmental impacts on affected communities.