4. Question No. 4—RMA ReformDAVID MacLEOD (National—New Plymouth) to the Minister responsible for RMA ReformQuestion No. 4—RMA Reform4. DAVID MacLEOD (National—New Plymouth) to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform: What announcements has he made regarding the establishment of a new fast-track consenting one-stop shop regime?Hon CHRIS BISHOP (Minister responsible for RMA Reform): Earlier today alongside the Prime Minister and the Minister for Regional Development and the Minister of Transport I announced the coalition Government's new one-stop shop fast-track approvals regime and this afternoon the House will consider that legislation in its first reading. New Zealand has been stuck in the slow lane for far too long when it comes to getting the major projects we need to get our country growing again. We are determined to cut through the thicket of red and green tape holding New Zealand back by fast tracking consents for projects of regional and national significance whilst protecting Treaty settlements and the environment.David MacLeod: How will projects be fast tracked under the new regime?Hon CHRIS BISHOP: Very good question. There are two ways projects can be fast tracked: they can either be referred by the joint decision of the Ministers of infrastructure regional development and transport upon an application or by being listed in Schedule 2A of the bill. Projects in Schedule 2A will be automatically referred into the fast-track process—Hon Grant Robertson: Is there anything in Schedule 2 at the moment?Hon CHRIS BISHOP: And just on Mr Robertson's point the bill does not currently contain any projects listed in Schedule 2A. The Government will be—Hon Grant Robertson: When will we find out?Hon CHRIS BISHOP: Well very soon. The Government will be setting up a thorough and transparent process a fast-track advisory group of independent experts to provide advice to Ministers on what projects should be included. And in the coming weeks we will appoint the group publish the criteria and Ministers in the Cabinet will receive advice on those projects.David MacLeod: How will the environment—[Interruption]SPEAKER: Just wait a moment.David MacLeod: How will the environment and Treaty settlements be protected under the new legislation?Hon CHRIS BISHOP: All of the projects—Hon Willow-Jean Prime: How will the Treaty be protected?Hon CHRIS BISHOP: Well that was actually the question and if you give me a chance I'll answer it. All the projects considered under the new fast-track regime will be considered by an expert panel. And of course the expert panel process is not a new one because that process was set up by the last Government when it came to their own COVID-19 fast-track regime. That expert panel will apply relevant consent and permit conditions. Panels will have a maximum of six months to do so. The projects will then be sent back to joint Ministers to either approve it or decline it and they'll be able to refer the project back to the panel if the consent conditions are too onerous. The bill contains extensive protections around Treaty settlements and the environment but we also must make—Hon Willow-Jean Prime: What about the Treaty?Hon CHRIS BISHOP: I've just answered the question about the Treaty. You really need to listen. But we also must make it clear to the world that New Zealand is open for business once again and build a pipeline of projects to grow the economy and improve our productivity. Today's announcement is a step towards that.