Phi Finney McDonald acts for representative applicants and First Nations leaders, Pabai Pabai and Paul Kabai from the islands of Boigu and Saibai in the Torres Strait. In a landmark climate change class action, Paul and Pabai are suing the Commonwealth on behalf of all Torres Strait Islanders facing the climate crisis, for breach of a novel duty of care.
The proceeding is the first climate class action in Australia brought by First Nations leaders.
Opt-out
To opt-out from being a Group Member of this class action:
- Download the opt out form
- Then, fill out the form and post it to the Victorian Registry of the Federal Court at 305 William Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 or email it to vicreg@fedcourt.gov.au, by 4pm on 26 May 2023.
- Alternatively, email us at climateclassaction@phifinneymcdonald.com and tell us that you wish to opt-out.
Background
Torres Strait Islanders are on the frontline of the climate crisis and face an existential threat from rising sea levels driven by the burning of fossil fuels. Absent urgent action by the Commonwealth, Torres Strait Islanders face becoming Australia’s first climate refugees.
Allegations
The applicants allege that the Commonwealth owes a duty of care to Torres Strait Islanders to take reasonable steps to protect them, their culture, and their environment from harms caused by climate change.
The claim alleges that the Commonwealth breached and continues to breach its duty of care by failing to take reasonable steps to prevent the harms to Torres Strait Islanders, including establishing science-based emissions targets. The applicants seek injunctive, declaratory and remedial relief.
If successful, this case has the landmark potential to not only protect Torres Strait Islanders from disaster, but also to help avert the climate crisis before it devastates communities across Australia and the world.
Partners
Phi Finney McDonald developed the case with the Urgenda Foundation, who brought the landmark case of Urgenda v State of the Netherlands in 2015. In that case, on behalf of 886 Dutch citizens, Urgenda successfully sued the Dutch government for an injunction requiring the Dutch government to set stronger greenhouse gas emissions targets.
The litigation is supported by public interest advocacy organisation, Grata Fund.