Hard Truths:
The Australian Coal and Gas Exports Case
We are 10 Australians who have filed a human rights case against the Australian government for failing to protect us from climate pollution by Australia’s coal and gas corporations.
We’ve each been profoundly impacted by fires, floods, rising seas, extreme heat, algal blooms and disruption to First Nations Country and Culture.
These are our stories.
The Kimberley
Anne Poelina
In the Kimberley, devastating floods and extreme heat are affecting Country, cultural knowledge and the Martuwarra Fitzroy River system. As a traditional owner and globally recognised scientist, Anne has spent her life advocating for Country and living waters.
Sunshine Coast Hinterland
Barry Traill
When the pager beeps, volunteer firefighter Barry still drives towards danger. But these days, bushfires no longer follow the old rules.
Brisbane
Brendon Donohue
Brendon is blind and was trapped alone in his apartment for 10 days after the Brisbane floods shut down the lifts and power. There was no evacuation plan and no safe way out.
South Australia
Cat
As temperatures rise in rural South Australia, Cat’s chronic illnesses leave her in “survival mode,” while worsening bushfire risk leaves her unsure she can escape in time.
NSW South Coast
Jack Egan
On the NSW South Coast, Jack stayed to defend his home as the Black Summer fires tore through his community, burning his house to the ground.
Adelaide
Latisha Francis
As a Narungga, Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna woman and marine science student, Latisha is fighting toxic algal blooms, which are disconnecting her and her family from Sea Country.
Adelaide
Mel Fisher
In Adelaide heatwaves, even the tap water runs warm in Mel’s poorly insulated public housing unit, making her chronic illnesses hard to bear.
Adelaide
Pam Francis
Narungga, Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna woman Pam teaches young Aboriginal children about language, Culture and Country, while fighting to protect Sea Country from toxic algal blooms.
Barkly Tablelands
Rikki Dank
On the Barkly Tablelands in the NT, extreme heat is making Rikki’s Country, as a Gudanji and Wakaya woman, harder to live on and disrupting cultural knowledge passed down through generations.
Brisbane
Sama Youhana
Living beside the Brisbane River, Sama wakes through the night during storms to check whether floodwaters will rise into her family’s home again.
The hard truths Australia can no longer ignore
Our legal claim
That’s why we’ve turned to the United Nations Human Rights Committee to hold our government accountable.
Our human rights case argues the Australian government is failing its legal duty to protect people from foreseeable harm.
By saying yes to coal and gas corporations and failing to limit this significant source of climate pollution, we say the Australian government is violating its human rights obligations.
Photo Credits
Kangaroo with joey during the 2019–2020 Black Summer bushfires. (Jo-Anne McArthur)
Coal export terminal at Port Kembla, NSW. (Peter Harrison / Getty Images)