Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
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Released 17/03/2025
Canberrans can enjoy a new level of environmental protection from today as the Territory’s right to a healthy environment takes effect in the Human Rights Act2004.
The ACT is the first Australian jurisdiction to enshrine this vital human right in legislation.
The right to a healthy environment encompasses the right to clean air, a safe climate, access to safe water and adequate sanitation, healthy and sustainably produced food, non-toxic environments to live, work, study, and play, and healthy biodiversity and ecosystems.
It also includes the right to access information on environmental matters, participate in environmental decision-making, and seek access to justice where the right may be breached. The inclusion of the right will also ensure environmental and climate considerations feature in ACT public authority functions and decision-making.
Canberrans can make a complaint to the ACT Human Rights Commission if they believe the right to a healthy environment has been breached or not considered in a decision by a public authority.
Quotes attributable Tara Cheyne, Minister for Human Rights.
“The ACT continues to be a leader in human rights, and this right takes a ground-breaking step forward for human rights legislation reform in Australia.
“The right to a healthy environment is recognised in law internationally, but this is the first time it has been recognised in Australia.
“Our community is facing pressing challenges from climate change, environmental pollution and biodiversity loss each of which poses serious risks to other human rights, including the right to life and the right to equality, threatening the wellbeing of our community.
“Enshrining the right to a healthy environment is essential for the full enjoyment of other human rights.”
Quotes attributable to Suzanne Orr, Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water:
“I’d like to thank Minister Cheyne for her leadership on this nation-leading reform.
“Canberrans love their bush capital and have been among the strongest supporters for Climate Change Action in the nation.
“Having a right to a healthy environment is another demonstration of our appreciation for our environment and our commitment to leading the way on looking after it.”
Quotes attributable to Dr Pene Mathew, ACT Human Rights Commissioner:
“This is a really significant step in recognising that we all depend on a clean and healthy environment to be able to lead good and happy lives.
“While the right to a healthy environment can’t address climate change and environmental harms on its own, incorporating this right within our ACT human rights framework means that public servants and government agencies will now have to consider environmental impacts when they develop and implement policies and laws.
“Canberrans will also now be able to contact the Commission with concerns or complaints about public authorities not acting consistently with this right.”
Quotes attributable to Nicole Sommer, Director of Legal Practice at the Environmental Defenders Office:
“Today is a historic day for the ACT and for the nation, as the first Australian jurisdiction recognises what we know to be true – that our wellbeing and security depends on access to a healthy environment.
“The ACT is leading the nation with this ground-breaking reform. We applaud the ACT legislature for acting so quickly to embed this into its existing human rights laws.
“As the climate crisis worsens, this right is only becoming more critical.”
– Statement ends –
Tara Cheyne, MLA | Media Releases