Fast-track amendment could trigger surge in judicial reviews

Fast-track objectors say the real test of the process lies ahead with extractive projects, and may play out in judicial reviews. (Image: Garth Bray)

Garth Bray

Wed, 26 Nov 2025

Environmental advocacy groups would make greater use of judicial review if appeal rights were constrained further by the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill, and they may be more likely to succeed in their efforts.“What we've seen overseas in Ireland, which took a similar approach to limiting appeal rights, is that judicial review increased significantly,” Environmental Defence Society (EDS) chief operations officer Shay Schlapfer told BusinessDesk.Watch: Fixing the Fast-Track - a tale of two ports and a goldmine“In f...

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