Opposition to the Fast Track Approvals Bill w/ Forest and Bird’s Geoff Keey: 7th May, 2024.

Conservation group Forest and Bird made a lengthy submission to the government regarding the Fast Track Approvals Bill, detailing the organisation’s issues with the bill and their recommended changes. The bill threatens to undermine existing conservation legislation in Aotearoa, allowing projects to legally infringe on environmental protections. Additionally, despite the inclusion of an expert panel process, ministers still have the final say on all consent processes.

Wire host Castor spoke to Forest and Bird’s Climate spokesperson, Geoff Keey, about the organisation’s main issues with the bill and possible solutions to better protect the environment.