Environmentalists, trade expert at odds over Government’s Fast Track Bill
Proposed ‘Fast Track’ legislation to accelerate major projects could put New Zealand in breach of its latest free trade deals, an environmental lobby group claims.
Forest & Bird cites clauses in the UK and European Union free trade agreements requiring environmental protections and due process for feedback as in conflict with the Fast Track Bill, which creates a “one-stop shop” for consents and approvals on some big infrastructure and development projects.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) did not provide advice before the bill was read in parliament, in a move a trade expert labelled “highly unusual”, though he doubts the proposed legislation will breach free trade agreements.
The FTA with the UK, which took effect in June last year, was estimated to boost exports to the UK by 50 percent, and add $1 billion a year to the economy.
The EU deal, which takes effect in May, is expected to deliver new quota opportunities worth more than $600 million in annual export earnings, with an eight-fold increase to the amount of beef able to be sold into Europe.
Both agreements have clauses requiring environmental protections to be upheld. The EU trade agreement also requires ample time for public and advocacy groups to give feedback on environment impact assessments for mining projects.
Traditionally, trade agreements have attempted to ensure countries don’t have unfair advantages over each other by banning subsidies paid to industries, or removing tariffs. The new environmental conditions are designed to address countries having an unfair advantage from companies being exempted from environmental laws.
The Fast Track Approvals Bill, which passed its first reading on 7 March, allows selected projects to sidestep current rules in place to protect the environment. It also explicitly stops expert panels considering projects from seeking input from the public or advocacy groups.
Keey says there are a number of clauses in the free trade agreements which fast-tracking approval may breach, depending on what projects get approved and what conditions are placed on them. It’s still seeking advice on individual conditions, “but there’s a really clear principle in both the European and UK trade agreements with New Zealand that countries shouldn’t undermine environmental protections to promote trade and investment”.
Oh sweet resurrected Christ, this would just be tumeke wouldn’t it?
A Free Trade deal that stops our Government from trashing our environment?
There is a God and she clearly has a sense of sardonic humour.
Watching the Free Market Goons inside ACT, National and NZ First attempt to explain why we shouldn’t be compelled to abide by Free Trade Deals they slavishly worship will be like watching White Christian Nationalists finding out Jesus was black.
This is a predicament for the new Government that they deserve.
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Whose Is The Hand …. N8V child https://youtu.be/vZHoz0IRAyU
Who has the right? …. not the frigging ‘right’
Oh this would be another bit of delicious fomentation by gummint with added mint. I must away to mow the lawn or one of the jobs. But I’ll save it – like a crunchie bar for later.
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