Australian Brumby Alliance Inc v Parks Victoria Inc [2020] FCA 605

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Australian Brumby Alliance Inc v Parks Victoria Inc [2020] FCA 605 File number(s): VID 1569 of 2018

Judge(s): O'BRYAN J

Date of judgment: 8 May 2020

Catchwords: ADMINISTRATIVE LAW - Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) Act s 15B(5) – action to prevent removal of brumbies from the Bogong High Plains and Eastern Victorian Alps within the Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves - whether removal will have or is likely to have a significant impact on the National Heritage values of the Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves - whether prohibiting the removal is reasonably appropriate and adapted to give effect to Australia's obligations under Article 8 of the Biodiversity Convention – whether brumbies are part of the National heritage values of the Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves – whether the Biodiversity Convention protects cultural and social values - proper construction of s 15B(5) and (6)

Legislation: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (Vic) National Parks Act 1975 (Vic) Parks Victoria Act 2018 (Vic)

Cases cited: Applicant A v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1997) 190 CLR 225 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Pacific National Pty Limited [2020] FCAFC 77 Booth v Bosworth (2001) 114 FCR 39 Commonwealth v Tasmania (1983) 158 CLR 1 Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) v Poniatowska (2011) 244 CLR 408 Minister for the Environment & Heritage v Greentree (No 2) (2004) 138 FCR 198 Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs v QAAH of 2004 (2006) 231 CLR 1 Monroe Topple & Assocs Pty Ltd v Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (2002) 122 FCR 110 Povey v Qantas Airways Limited (2005) 223 CLR 189 Secretary, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment v Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre Inc (2016) 244 FCR 21 Secretary, Department of Sustainability and Environment (Vic) v Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (Cth) (2013) 209 FCR 215 Seven Network Limited v News Ltd (2009) 182 FCR 160 Taikato v The Queen (1996) 186 CLR 454 Tillmanns Butcheries Pty Ltd v Australasian Meat Industry Employees' Union (1979) 42 FLR 331 Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd v ACCC (2003) 131 FCR 529 Victoria v The Commonwealth (1996) 187 CLR 416 National Parks and Conservation Association v Babbitt (2001) 241 F (3d) 722