Australian Conservation Foundation Incorporated v Minister for the Environment [2016] FCA 1042

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Australian Conservation Foundation Incorporated v Minister for the Environment [2016] FCA 1042 File number: QUD 1017 of 2015

Judge: GRIFFITHS J

Date of judgment: 29 August 2016

Catchwords: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW - judicial review challenge to Minister's decision to approve coal mine project – failure to apply ss 82 and 527E of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (the EPBC Act) in assessing impact of combustion emissions – failure to apply the precautionary principle as required by ss 136(2)(a) and 391 of the EPBC Act – failure to comply with s 137 of the EPBC Act regarding inconsistency with the World Heritage Convention – judicial review application dismissed. ENVIRONMENTAL LAW – construction and application of ss 82, 133, 136, 137, 391 and 527E of the EPBC Act in assessing effects of climate change on the Great Barrier Reef.

Legislation: Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) Environment and Heritage Legislation Amendment Act (No 1) 2006 (No 165 of 2006) (Cth) Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth), Div 1, Ch 4, Pts 3, 8, 9, 16, 23, ss 3, 3(1)(a), 3(1)(b), 3(1)(e), 3(2)(a), 3(2)(c), 3(2)(d), 3A, 12, 15A, 15B, 15C, 16, 17B, 18, 18A, 20, 20A, 24B, 24C, 24D, 24E, 45, 47, 67, 68(1), 75, 75(1), 75(2), 75(3), 75(4), 81, 82, 82(1), 83, 130, 130(1), 131, 131A, 131AB, 132, 133, 134, 136, 136(2)(a), 136(2)(b), 136(2)(c), 136(2)(e), 137, 137(1), 140A, 391, 391(1), 391(2), 391(3), 523, 527E, 527E(1), 527E(1)(b), 527E(2), 527E(2)(e), 527E(2)(f), 527E(2)(g), 528 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Act 2013 (Cth) Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth), s 39B Motor Accidents Compensation Act 1999 (NSW) National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 (Cth) Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991 (NSW), s 6(2) State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (Qld), Pt 4, s 26(1)(a) Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), s 45D Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties 1969, Art 31 Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (World Heritage Convention), Arts 4, 5, 5(d), 6 World Heritage Properties Conservation Act 1983 (Cth) Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth)