The Fractured Constitutional Basis of Environmental Regulation

Monday, 31 October, 2011 - 16:30 to 17:30
New South Wales

Dr Melissa Perry QC, Sixth Floor Selborne Wentworth Chambers

Mr Jonathon Redwood, Banco Chambers

Commentators:  Emeritus Professor Ben Boer (Sydney Law School), Dr Allan Hawke AC  

Chair: The Honourable Murray Gleeson AC

Australian environmental law is characterised by a complex jurisdictional patchwork which is largely the product of our constitutional system. Melissa Perry will consider the particular challenges posed by federalism for the regulation of environmental impacts and their causes. She will examine constitutional mechanisms that might improve the consistency of environmental outcomes and assist in meeting the challenges posed by climate change. Jonathon Redwood will focus on the problems posed by the subordinate, but nevertheless vague, status of local government in the Australian constitutional framework. This status inhibits local government in legislating with respect to environmental matters, leaving it to administer often contradictory and complex state and federal environmental law and policy with limited resources.

Venue: Court 18A, Federal Court, Queens Square, Sydney

Note: this is a member-only seminar.  Please contact Christos Mantziaris (NSW Chapter) at mantziaris@stjames.net.au to enquire about membership.