Guest essay by Eric Worrall
Australian Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley has successfully argued that it is not her duty to care about protecting young people from climate change.
Children’s climate change case overturned on appeal as Federal Court rejects government’s ‘duty of care’
By national science, technology and environment reporter Michael Slezak
and the Expert Reporting Group of Penny TimmsFederal Environment Minister Sussan Ley has successfully argued that it is not her duty to care about protecting young people from climate change when evaluating fossil fuel projects.
Main attractions:
- A group of eight children launched collective action in 2020
- Initial comments agree that the Minister has a “duty of concern” when evaluating fossil fuel projects
- Experts say an appeal is likely, but in the meantime, the latest ruling removes the duty of care
The decision of the entire Federal Court bench today overturned the previous victory of a group of eight children, who brought a class action lawsuit on behalf of all Australian children that has temporarily established a new common law duty of care.
Experts say the children will likely appeal the decision in the Supreme Court, but in the meantime, the ruling removes the duty of care established by Justice Mordecai Bromberg.
The class action, led by teenager Anj Sharma, argues that the environment minister has a duty to care about protecting young people from climate change and this should be considered in the approval process greenhouse gas production projects.
…
In his initial ruling last May, Justice Bromberg agreed that the minister had a duty to care about protecting young people from climate change, that climate change would cause catastrophic harm, and ” incredible” for young people, and approving a new coal mine increases the chances of that harm.
…
Federal Minister of the Environment Susan Ley there seem to be suitable enemies.
When she was informed of the coral die-off from climate change in 2019, she happily visited the Great Barrier Reef in person, and asked to see dead corals. Humor is all she finds are healthy stretch marks.
Update: The Guardian has published a video of crying babiesbecause now they will have to gather real political support to achieve their goals, instead of using the courts to inflict green tyranny on Australian voters, who most do not want what they are offering.
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