Summarised by Centrist
Speaker Gerry Brownlee has overruled the Clerk and Assistant Speaker to allow the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill to proceed despite allegations that it grants private benefits.
The bill, which aims to expedite projects through a streamlined process, faces criticism for potentially granting private benefits to specific projects, undermining transparency, fairness, and democratic processes.
However, Brownlee defended his decision, stating that the projects listed do not guarantee private benefit but only provide “a process advantage.”
The controversy arose from a late amendment by RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, listing specific projects under the bill.
Brownlee asserted that the projects still require approval and had undergone a ministerial advisory group’s selection process. “Virtually no bill passed in this House doesn’t have some private benefit,” he argued.
Legal academic Eddie Clark described the rushed legislative process as “very poor lawmaking,” adding, “It just reduces the amount of scrutiny that a significant bill ends up getting.”
Clark also noted the rarity of a Speaker overruling both the Clerk and an Assistant Speaker, saying, “Typically, they do follow the Clerk’s advice… it’s quite unusual.”
