Fast Tracking The Fast Track Bill

New Zealand First is appalled at the minority Labour Government’s obvious intention to fast track the select committee hearings on Project Aqua.

“The imposed report back deadline of 15 March 2004 does not give the select committee adequate opportunity to hear and analyse submissions for the Resource Management (Waitaki Catchment) Amendment Bill,” said Local Government spokesperson Jim Peters.

“The bill is another bypassing of the Resource Management Act. The people of the Waitaki valley, Meridian Energy, irrigators and farmers ought to have every right to an appropriate normal hearing process, including the right of appeal.

“This bill denies them such rights and is a reflection of the government’s imposed expediency. All applicants for resource consents, anywhere in New Zealand, should be subject to the same submission and hearing process,” said Mr Peters.

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