Australian Climate Case
Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul are Guda Maluyligal Traditional Owners from Boigu and Saibai Islands in Zenadth Kes (the Torres Strait). With the Uncles and their communities faced with rising sea levels, tides flooding their homes, sacred land eroding into the sea and soil becoming too salty to grow food, they took the Australian Government to court in 2021 for failing to act on, and prevent, climate change. They’re arguing that, due to this failure, the Federal Government negligently and unlawfully breached their duty of care to the Torres Strait community.
Australia’s response to climate change is one of the weakest in the world and if the Federal Government doesn’t change course – and fast – then islands in the Torres Strait could become uninhabitable. This would force Torres Strait Islander communities to leave their homes, severing thousands of years of connection to the land, while also making them Australia’s first climate change refugees.
The good news? The Australian Climate Case has been modelled off another groundbreaking case that ran successfully in the Netherlands in 2015, which means: it’s definitely winnable. It’s also the first time that anyone in the country has argued that the whole of the Federal Government – not just one Minister or agency – has a duty to protect people from climate harm. So, if it’s successful, everyone in Australia (and the world) will reap the benefits.
As our Q4 For the Earth commitment, we supported the case with $3,223 which, via Grata Fund (a NFP that help grassroots community movements, civil society organisations and individuals challenge the legal system) will go towards campaigning costs, mobilising communities, travel costs for the plaintiffs and their legal team and funding for expert witness testimonies to show the court just how rapidly Australia’s window for taking meaningful climate action is closing.
Closing arguments for the case will take place in Gimuy/Cairns from 29 April - 3 May and will be the final stage of hearings before a decision is handed down. A decision date is not yet set, but can typically take 4-6 months after hearings finish.
In what is set to be a crucial moment for First Nations-led climate justice in this country, the Uncles are courageously putting themselves forward and are fighting for a safe and sustainable future for us all. Let’s show them that they do not stand alone.
LEND YOUR SUPPORT
Donate to the Australian Climate Case
Sign the #MuraKalmelSipa Pledge
LEARN MORE
Australian Climate Case - Website
FOLLOW
Instagram - @australianclimatecase
Pure Community and Pure Finance have no direct affiliation with the organisations and initiatives listed above. We simply appreciate the work that they do, and choose to show our appreciation by lending our support.
