Federal Court hears climate change case

BY CHRISTINE HOWES

Federal Court hearings on Country for the landmark Australian Climate Case are very important to Guda Maluyligal plaintiff Uncle Pabai Pabai (inset pic), even though they are just, as he describes it, the first steps.

In October 2021 he and Uncle Paul Kabai filed a case against the Australian government which argued they had a duty of care to ensure Torres Strait Islanders were not harmed by climate change.

The Court, which has been to the islands of Boigu, Badu and Saibai, started hearing evidence of the climate harms experienced by these communities earlier this month.

They are all on the frontline of Australia’s impending climate disaster.

Uncle Pabai said it was what they needed.

“This is why I’m bringing the court over to my community, to tell the judge the truth,” he said.

“It’s very important to me, my people, my ancestors and the generation to come.

“My whole focus on this case was to get the judge to visit the sights, the erosion, and to see the impact that had been causing to my community.”

He said as they had travelled he was grateful for the support they had received.

“Because we’re talking about my ancestors, my people, my elders, and my young generation to come,” he said.

“My community and my people are fully supportive in this case, even the churches that are engaged in this case are very supportive – I need to thank my community for that.”

He said they had made some very powerful statements.

“I believe my evidence is very strong,” he said.

“And it’s very powerful.

“This is a milestone to me, and I believe that this is just the first step.

“This is not only for Boigu, Saibai and Badu, this is for the whole Torres Strait Islanders and the Zenadth Kes, and the brothers and sisters on the mainland.”

See P3 for an update on passenger flights in and out of Mabuaig and Darnley N See

Freecall 1800 732 850