A class action launched on behalf of young people everywhere seeks an injunction to stop the Australian Government approving an extension to Whitehaven's Vickery coal mine, arguing it will harm young people by exacerbating climate change.
The injunction, an Australian first, is part of a growing wave of climate litigation claims
23-year-old Melbourne law student Katta O'Donnell filed a class action against the Australian Government "We're trying to get the Federal Environment Minister to prevent the Vickery coal mine going ahead because we believe she has a duty of care for young Australians and young people all over the world," Ms Raj-Seppings said.
David Barnden from Equity Generation Lawyers, who is representing the students, said the impacts of climate change on youth go "over and above regular people" because of their age."The law operates to protect vulnerable people by saying that people in power have a duty to protect them," Mr Barnden said.
Class actions allow a group of people to bring a legal action on behalf of a larger group who are affected in a similar way.
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