A federal court judge has granted Santos permission to access documents held by three activist groups not directly involved in the lawsuit against the company.
Justice Natalie Charlesworth’s ruling allows Santos to review financial records and communications between activist groups – Sunrise, Jubilee Australia, and the NT Environment Centre – and the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) to determine potential pursuit of costs for the lawsuit conducted by EDO on behalf of Tiwi Island traditional owners.
The requested documents include financial commitments, legal protections, and communications related to the case.
Market Forces successfully argued against providing communications to Santos, citing lack of public comments. However, financial documents will still be subpoenaed, although the group does not possess any.
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None of the four campaign groups were directly part of the lawsuit.
The case by traditional owners alleged Santos’ inadequate assessment of submerged cultural heritage and sought an injunction on pipeline works until a new environmental plan was submitted and assessed by Nopsema.
In a January judgment, Charlesworth criticized EDO for inappropriate conduct during meetings with Tiwi islanders. The oil and gas industry association called for EDO’s funding to be cut in response to the decision.
Santos is now pursuing costs from EDO and may seek non-party costs from other groups.
During court proceedings, Santos’ lawyers suggested close involvement of campaign groups in the case, prompting the need for communications to be examined.
Charlesworth dismissed arguments against the subpoenas, indicating a deeper investigation into the matter.
2024-04-25 02:20:16
Post from www.theguardian.com