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A group of Australian teenagers has filed a class action against the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment, and is seeking an injunction to prevent the Minister approving a proposed coal mine expansion. The claim alleges that approving the mine would breach the Minister’s common law duty of care to young people. The case follows the recent landmark proceedings alleging that the Commonwealth and others failed to properly disclose information about climate change risks to prospective investors in government bonds. We provide a snapshot of the issues and implications of these proceedings. Read more
After much anticipation, the WA State Government last week released for public consultation the draft Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Bill 2020. Submissions on the Draft Bill are due by 9 October 2020. Here we provide a brief snapshot of the Draft Bill and points for consideration in making a submission. Read more
The Commonwealth Government has taken the first step in a staged approach to reform of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act). The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Streamlining Environmental Approvals) Bill 2020 (Cth) (EPBC Amendment Bill) was introduced to Parliament on 27 August 2020, largely reflective of reforms to … Read more
The renewable energy sector is leading the transition to a net-zero carbon economy, and was recognised again in the Climate Change Authority’s recent report as being fundamental to a sustainable recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. Read more
The Queensland Government has proposed a suite of reforms to the planning framework in order to assist Queensland’s economic recovery from COVID-19. The proposed amendments are not legislative, but rather amendments to regulations and rules made under the Planning Act 2016 (Qld), meaning they can be efficiently implemented. Anyone wishing to make submissions regarding the … Read more
The Interim Report reflects strong views that the current regime is ineffective in protecting Australia’s environmental values and inefficient in delivering outcomes supported by business or the community. It proposes reforms with a strong focus on Ecologically Sustainable Development. Read more
The High Court is set to determine whether New Acland Coal’s application for an extension of the New Acland open-cut coal mine (Stage 3 Project) must be determined afresh as a result of bias on the part of the Land Court of Queensland. Read more
The Cooperative Research Centre of Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment, in consultation with the National Remediation Framework Steering Group, has released the National Remediation Framework. The Framework is intended for use by land owners and managers, government agencies and site contamination practitioners as a reference point for best practice methods and approaches to remediation. Read more
