We already have all the UX for this per @simon which is great.
I consider it a bug that category moderators are required to get posts approved, they should have an implicit bypass. We should fix it. I think a top level Contribute > Bug / Contribute > Feature is in order.
@jamie.wilson do you remember if this was done on purpose or not?
One thing to keep in mind @sujato with moderation queues and constant approval, is that it can get a bit tiring and chronology can get all funny if you get behind. (eg: you post a reply to #234 and 3 days later you get approved, the position in the topic will be last, so a bunch of conversation could be inserted which is unexpected)
Perhaps … as is … category moderation works for you. Instead of pre-approving, give the experts more power in the category and explain to the community that sometimes stuff gets deleted and this category is serious business …
We have the sign “replies on this topic are deleted after 30 days” zero complaints since we made that sign about random person X getting topic deleted.
This topic contains serious discussion with experts, we are regularly reviewing the content and will delete content that does not meet our guidelines