Sunday 25 March 2007

Weasel Words ease pulpmill approval

My comments on the Bill (1.9MB!) and Consultant's Brief are here.

All in all, this is a carefully crafted set of words. If I was writing a consultants brief, and wished to influence the range of outcomes the consultant could come up with, then this is how I would write it. Bear in mind that the consultant will provide a draft report, and whoever is tasked with considering the draft can make sure the consultant’s interpretation of the brief is “appropriate”. The question might be whether a consultant will want to undermine their good name by acquiescing to requests to tailor the report and use the latitude allowed by the loose language of the Act and brief.

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