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Tue, 23 Jun 2026

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 Australia's coal and gas exports violate our human rights, group says in new UN case

The group says that it is unlawful for Australia to continue approving fossil fuel exports without protecting its citizens.
A group of Australians, including Indigenous woman Prof Anne Poelina from Western Australia's Kimberley region, have accused their government of violating human rights by exporting coal and gas and are seeking UN action. They claim extreme weather events such as bushfires, floods, heatwaves, rising sea levels, and toxic algal blooms have harmed them due to the government's support for fossil fuel companies. The group is represented in a legal claim to the UN Human Rights Committee, which they argue will hold Australia accountable for its role in climate change. The lawsuit is significant as it follows the 2025 ICJ ruling that countries can sue each other over climate-related issues. Some of the personal stories behind the claim include:
* Dr Barry Traill, a wildlife ecologist and volunteer firefighter, who lost friends during the Black Saturday bushfires and has seen firsthand the impact of climate change on Australia's landscapes and communities.
* Brendon Donohue, who was trapped in his Brisbane apartment for 10 days due to floods in 2022 and experienced the challenges faced by people with disabilities in navigating everyday life under climate conditions.
* Prof Anne Poelina, who has seen her community displaced from the Fitzroy River area due to catastrophic flooding and fears the loss of cultural knowledge and traditional ways of living. The group's lawyers argue that Australia's coal and gas exports have caused harm globally and that the country must be held responsible for its contribution to climate change.