ELLEN MAYBERYEJA SENIOR SPECIALIST LAWYER AND ECOSYSTEMS LEADWe don’t often have the opportunity to completely overhaul our national environment laws. As environmental lawyers, we know just how urgently it’s needed. Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has...
It has been a huge few weeks for forests in Victoria. The Supreme Court cases Three brave community groups won landmark cases in the Supreme Court against the government’s logging agency. In two separate cases, the Court ruled that VicForests failed to find and...
We asked our team to pick some highlights from 2021 to share with our community… Here are just a handful of highlights We made the law work for communities and stopped destructive development EJA represented a community coalition in a mammoth ten-week hearing...
Each year we give out three awards to outstanding clients, partners, volunteers and barristers who have gone above and beyond in their environmental justice work. We have three categories: The Environmental Justice Award, Volunteer Award, and ProBono Award....
After seven months before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) on behalf of our client, the Australian Conservation Foundation, we won the case for the release of key documents regarding the decision to fast-track 15 commercial projects in the name of post-COVID...
July marked the end of the public inquiry into the environmental effects of the proposed Fingerboards mineral sands mine. The Fingerboards mineral sands mine is a proposal by Kalbar Operations Pty Ltd to construct a 1,675 hectare open cut mineral sands mine 20km...
We are thrilled to welcome two new staff members and two new Board members to our team. All bring a wealth of experience and a passion for environmental justice and we are looking forward to the exciting things we can do with our increased capacity. Georgia Rowles...
What inspired you to apply to work with us at EJA? I was searching for a firm that practiced predominantly public interest environmental law and EJA popped up as a perfect fit. I was inspired to apply for EJA because they have a broad variety of practicing areas,...
Over the past year, I had the privilege of participating in the inaugural Democracy in Colour People of Colour Placement Program. In this program, I was paid, trained and supported to become a skilled campaigner in the progressive movement. From August 2019 to June...
As an organisation advocating for a legal system with equality at its core, we are incredibly disappointed that our laws and the police who enforce them have failed First Nations communities. The lack of accountability for the 437 deaths in police custody must be...
On Thursday 25 June 2020, we farewelled our wise and fearless CEO and leader, Brendan Sydes. For 15 years Brendan worked tirelessly to use the law to protect nature and wildlife. It was by sheer coincidence that we farewelled Brendan 15 years to the day when he first...
Our new CEO team Elizabeth and Nicola have a combined 32 years of experience working as lawyers using the law to deliver environmental justice. They have worked as lawyers in environmental litigation, law reform and in-house counsel across private practice, government...
As you may have heard, after 15 years at Environment Defenders Office Victoria and Environmental Justice Australia, I’ve decided that it is time to step down from the CEO role. I’m very proud of everything that we have achieved together during my time leading the...
- Sasha Brady, Engagement Officer In January this year, I was incredibly lucky to be a legal intern at Gur A Baradharaw Kod Torres Strait Sea and Land Council (GBK) on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait. The work undertaken by GBK is diverse. My...
We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic is a worrying situation for all of us, especially the most vulnerable. I want to let you know the steps we are taking to respond to this crisis and reassure you that EJA will continue to deliver legal support that protects...
2019 was a tough year for our environment but through the bushfire crisis, the bad policy decisions and the lack of leadership on climate change, we still had some wins for our air, water and wildlife. Here’s just a few of our successes from the year to toast to over...
- Brendan Sydes, Lawyer and CEO, EJA Last week our colleagues at EDO offices announced that Environmental Defenders Offices across Australia have merged to become a single national Environmental Defenders Office. The launch of the national EDO Australia is an...
At our recent AGM we paid tribute to former Chair of Environmental Justice Australia, Megan Utter. Read the remarks given on the night below. Megan Utter joined the board at our AGM 10 years ago in 2009. She soon became deputy chair and then took over as chair in...