Posted 16/7/08

Greens Media Release

16 July 2008

Costs order against Blue Wedges a bad sign for democracy

Greens Media Release

16 July 2008 Costs order against Blue Wedges a bad sign for democracy

“It’s another sign of the sad state of our democracy that the state government and Port of Melbourne have pursued another community for daring to oppose their actions," Greens MP Sue Pennicuik said today.

"While Justice North may have had no legal option to the awarding of costs against Blue Wedges for taking court action, he made it clear that he disapproved of the Government arguing for scalps to hang on the fence so that other community groups would know what to expect when they challenge government decisions in court."

It is imperative that government decisions that can profoundly affect the community and the environment, like channel deepening and the desalination plant, can be challenged by the community without the sword of damocles hanging over their heads."

"It’s bad enough that developers and corporations are able to gain access to ministers and political influence through donations, but it seems pretty clear that access to the courts is only for those with deep pockets."

"If the community can't take action in the courts against poor government decisions then we effectively have government by Executive."

"The modus operandi of this government, in publicly insulting and attempting to discredit community groups and then pursuing costs against them, is appalling."

"The earlier judgement by Justice North regarding the Blue Wedges case already showed that our state and federal environment laws don't protect the environment and the awarding of costs yesterday, while technically legal, shows how far the government and PoMC will go to silence their critics."

"The community is not the enemy and the government would do better listening to what people have to say rather silencing critics."

"I am concerned about the implications of the current legal system for justice and democracy and will be looking at ways to prevent governments from squashing community voices."

Further information: Sue Pennicuik 0409 055 875