Legal advice given to ACF indicates there are clear options to review and if necessary revoke the federal environmental approval for the dirty Adani coal mine.
Following reference to legal advice to the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) about stopping the polluting Adani coal project on ABC 730 last night, ACF Chief Executive, Kelly O’Shanassy, said:
“Legal advice given to ACF indicates there are clear options to review and if necessary revoke the federal environmental approval for the dirty Adani coal mine with consideration of new evidence about damage to the Great Barrier Reef, our climate and native species. Separate advice was provided by the Environmental Defenders Office Queensland and barrister Dr Chris McGrath.
“Advice of this nature has been provided to both major political parties.
“Federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg was sent similar advice about his powers under national environment law in June last year. This advice was provided by Environmental Justice Australia on behalf of famed coral scientist, Dr Charlie Veron, in light of the two-devastating mass coral bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef in 2016 and 2017 that were driven by climate change.
“Our elected representatives have the legal options. Our elected representatives have the clear evidence that climate change is damaging the Great Barrier Reef. They know the majority of Australians oppose this polluting mine.
“To not stop Adani and begin the transition away from Australia’s dirty coal habit is to deny the urgent need to cut climate pollution, secure a safe climate and protect the Great Barrier Reef.”
Legal advice can be found here: https://www.acf.org.au/legal_advice_to_acf_on_adani
