“Calls to stop people who care about nature and the climate from getting to court are totally out of step with what Australians want, which is more action to tackle global warming and protect the places we love,” said Mr Ritter.
“There should be more access to justice for people who love nature and want to stop global warming, not less.”
Last week, UN Special Rapporteur Michel Forst said he was “astounded” to observe government attacks on environmentalists and other civil society groups in what he termed “a seeming attempt to discredit, intimidate and discourage them from their legitimate work” [1].
“This ‘lawfare’ call is exactly what the UN Special Rapporteur was talking about. The Turnbull Government is attacking nature groups because it is beholden to the coal lobby, which has an ongoing campaign to undermine Australia’s civil society. The Senate can and should protect the right of NGOs to seek transparency and accountability from the government over its actions.
“It is totally appropriate for environmental groups to use court processes to challenge development approvals. The courts have well developed processes and are perfectly capable now of dealing with anyone who isn’t legitimate.
“The real issue here is the Turnbull Government’s inability to meet its international obligations to tackle global warming - even as the Paris Agreement comes into force next month - and to protect our natural wonders, like the Great Barrier Reef.
“Global warming is the most urgent and profound challenge facing Australia and the world. We can’t afford to be distracted by the howls of protest from the coal industry and its friends over the end of the fossil fuel age.
“It’s time for the Coalition to get out of bed with the coal lobby and recognise that its actions now on global warming will affect future generations of Australians.
“Australia is being held to account by other nations because it is the world's largest exporter of coal. Australia’s contribution to global warming is significant and undeniable, and must be questioned at every turn,” said Mr Ritter.
[1] Australian Government must re-build trust of civil society, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, October 18, 2016.
ENDS