Federal Court rules climate change not part of environment minister's considerations
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The news: The Federal Court has dismissed an appeal by the Environment Council of Central Queensland (ECoCeQ), after the campaign group took federal environment minister Tanya Plibersek to court last year over proposals to extend Whitehaven's Narrabri mine and MACH Energy's Mount Pleasant mine.
The numbers: Whitehaven said the latest judgement clears the way for Plibersek to make a final decision on the miner's application for its Narrabri Stage 3 project.
The company said the project is expected to extend the life of the coal mine from 2031 to 2044, supporting around 500 jobs in regional NSW.
Operating since 2012, the Narrabri mine is Whitehaven's only under underground operation, and to date has been approved to produce 11 million tonnes of thermal coal per year until 2031.
The context: Queensland-based volunteer group ECoCeQ took Plibersek to court last year over the two coal mine extensions, arguing that she did not consider the impacts of the emissions released when the coal is burnt.
Plibersek has veto power over major projects if they would impact "matters of national environmental significance", such as protected plants, animals, and ecosystems.
Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, the minister isn't required to consider how the project will contribute to climate change through its emissions.
The review of the minister's decision was initially heard by a single Federal Court judge, who ruled that her decision was legal. It was then appealed to the full Federal Court.
The source: ASX announcement
