Court overturns Tanya Plibersek’s protection order which company says blocked controversial NSW goldmine
The Federal Court of Australia has overturned a protection order issued by former environment minister Tanya Plibersek regarding the McPhillamys goldmine project. The court ruled that the minister's decision-making process was flawed, though it did not comment on the merits of the Indigenous heritage claims.
Why it matters
This decision highlights the ongoing tension between industrial development and Indigenous heritage protection laws in Australia.
Regis Resources challenged the decision by the former environment minister Tanya Plibersek to issue the order in 2024 under section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act. Photograph: Regis Resources Regis Resources challenged the decision by the former environment minister Tanya Plibersek to issue the order in 2024 under section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act. Photograph: Regis Resources Environment Court overturns Tanya Plibersek’s protection order which company says blocked controversial NSW goldmine Federal court overrules decision by former environment minister for the McPhillamys goldmine development at Blayney
Prefer the Guardian on Google The federal court has overturned a rare protection order issued by former environment minister Tanya Plibersek under Indigenous heritage legislation, which the company said effectively blocked a controversial goldmine in the central west of New South Wales .
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