Bishop couldn’t give a date for when the public might be able to see what projects are being included in the legislation, saying a date for Cabinet to consider the projects recommended for inclusion has not been set.
RNZ and Forest & Bird’s attempts to use the Official Information Act to have communications which may shed light on who ministers have been in contact with have been blocked. RNZ was told information would be released “proactively” but this did not happen before the final day of submissions.
Forest & Bird was told emails to ministers from companies were “advice” and exempt from release. It has complained to the Ombudsman.
Two seabed mining companies, Trans Tasman Resources and Chatham Rock Phosphate, have identified themselves as being “invited” to apply for fast-tracking, an interpretation Bishop described as misleading.
The Bill aims to speed up the approval of projects and reduce the cost of consenting. About $1.3 billion is spent each year on the consent of projects and the time taken to get a consent has doubled within five years, according to the Infrastructure Commission.
When it was introduced, Bishop said gaining consents for projects takes far too long and costs too much.
“We are determined to cut through the thicket of red and green tape holding New Zealand back, make it clear to the world that we are open for business and build a pipeline of projects around the country to grow the economy and improve our productivity,” he said.
In other answers given to the Green Party, Bishop said he saw no issue assembling an Expert Advisory Group before public submissions closed and confirmed the panel members were chosen by ministers from nominations made from agencies involved in the preparation of the Bill.
Davidson urged the public to make a submission while they were still open. Without projects listed, she suggested people concentrate on how they want their own local areas to remain protected.
RNZ