8th of August 2024
The Environment Council of Central Queensland (ECoCeQ) applied for special leave to Australia's highest court to appeal the Full Federal Court's dismissal of the landmark Living Wonders climate cases - the High Court bid has been refused. The judicial review in the Federal Court was assessing whether Australia's Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, is required by law to scrutinise the climate harm of new coal and gas projects.
The cases challenge the Minister's risk assessment of the Narrabri and Mount Pleasant coal mine proposals in NSW, and were the first court challenges to a coal or gas decision made by Australia's current Environment Minister. The outcome of these cases could impact the consideration of all future fossil fuel projects in the country. There are currently 117 new coal and gas projects in the pipeline in Australia, with the plans for 35 new coal mines and expansions sitting on the Minister's desk awaiting approval.
The following climate law experts are
