Women Speaking Out:
The case of the Waratah Coal mine, climate change and human rights, February 2023

Tuesday 21 February
7.30–8.45 pm AEDT

Murrawah Johnson
Wirdi Traditional Owner, Qld, First Nations program lead with Youth Verdict

Podcasts

This conversation was published by Community Radio 3CR in their Earth Matters program with presenter Rebecca Horridge:

The case of the Waratah Coal mine, climate & human rights. Part 1
The case of the Waratah Coal mine, climate & human rights. Part 2

Our first Women’s Climate Conversation online for 2023 explored the recent historic ruling of the Queensland Land Court to recommend against approval of Clive Palmer’s, proposed new mega thermal coal mine on Wangan and Jagalingou country in the Galilee Basin.

The case was brought by The Bimblebox Alliance and Youth Verdict (a coalition of young people from across Queensland).

The Land Court’s refusal was on the basis that the mine would contribute to climate change impacts, which would limit:

  • the right to life

  • the cultural rights of First Nations peoples

  • the rights of children

  • the right to property and to privacy and home

  • the right to enjoy human rights equally.

In this event Alison Rose, Patricia Julien, Lala Gutchen and Murrawah Johnson were in conversation with WCC Founder, Dr Janet Salisbury.

In memory of Emeritus Professor Will Steffen (1947–29 January 2023), whose scientific evidence to the Land Court was pivotal in this case.

Meet our guest conversationalists

Alison Rose is a Solicitor within the Safe Climate (Coal and Human Rights) team working on ground-breaking climate litigation at the Environmental Defenders Office Ltd (EDO). She was the lead solicitor for the Waratah Coal Mine case. Alison is also a member of the Women’s Climate Congress Steering Circle (aka Board). Read her bio here.

Patricia Julien is the Secretary for The Bimblebox Alliance (TBA) and part of the legal communications team for the Alliance with EDO. She has a background in physical geography, microclimatology, rangeland hydrology & ecology, and was formerly the Coordinator of Mackay Conservation Group where she prepared submissions on environmental impacts of coal mining, and regional and coastal planning and development policies.

Lala Gutchen is an Erub Meuram woman from Erub Island, Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) where the rising sea is eating away at her villages and sacred sites. She was one of the witnesses in the case against the Waratah Mine. In an historic first, Lala gave evidence on Country in accordance with their traditional protocols. Judge Kingham and the legal counsel travelled to the Erub Meuram tribal waters and visited Merad Sand Kay (also known as Underdown Island) with Traditional Owners who showed them how climate change has directly harmed their Country. Lala is also a strong advocate for Erub Mer language and has been recognised as a Young Champion by First Language Australia.

Murrawah Johnson is a Wirdi woman from North and Central Queensland, where the Wiri/Wirdi language dialect ties to the broader Birri Gubba Nation. Murrawah also has ties to Kangalou, Kullilli, Iman, Mununjali and Bigambul Peoples. She holds ties to Wangan and Jagalingou country as a Wirdi Traditional Owner, and has worked on Aboriginal rights litigation in the Federal Court and Supreme Court of Queensland; lobbying State and Federal governments, and international financial corporations; submits to UN agencies and rapporteurs on human rights breaches; and building research and policy agendas. She also works on community-level Indigenous and climate justice strategies; and has facilitated First Nations solidarities in CANZUS countries.