Australia.
Running strategic climate litigation.
EDO is the largest environmental legal centre in the Australia-Pacific, providing community access to justice, running ground-breaking litigation and advocating for environmental law reform.
In May 2020, EDO launched the first ever human rights challenge to an Australian coal mine on behalf of clients Youth Verdict Ltd and The Bimblebox Alliance Inc. Youth Verdict is a diverse group of young people, while The Bimblebox Alliance is a community group of local landholders and farmers who want to protect the Bimblebox Nature Refuge. Both groups have filed objections to the Mining Lease and Environmental Authority for Clive Palmer’s Galilee Coal Project with the Land Court of Queensland.
EDO will argue that the coal from the mine will fuel climate change and therefore infringe upon six human rights: the rights of the child; the right to life; the right to be free from discrimination; the cultural rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; the right to property; and the right to privacy.
EDO’s team, led by Brisbane Principal Solicitor Sean Ryan, draws on EDO’s extensive work for clients challenging the climate change impacts of Australian coal mines. Pro bono support is provided by legal and scientific volunteers.
If the case is successful, the Land Court of Queensland will recommend that the Minister refuse the Mining Lease and Environmental Approval. The case is expected to conclude in 2021.
For further information visit:
- Youth activists claim Clive Palmer’s proposed coal mine could breach their human rights – 7.30 (abc.net.au)
- Legal action to block Palmer coal project (brisbanetimes.com.au)
- These young Queenslanders are taking on Clive Palmer’s coal company and making history for human rights (theconversation.com)
- Tips and Murmurs: Clive Palmer versus the kids (crikey.com.au)
