Mr Abbott said he was "frustrated" by the ruling because "this is a very important project, not just for Australia, but for the wider world". Earlier, he told News Corp that courts could be used to "sabotage" mining projects such as the Queensland proposal by Adani, an Indian mining giant. "As a country we must, in principle, favour projects like this," he reportedly said. NSW Bar Association president Jane Needham, SC, expressed concern at Mr Abbott's remarks. "These comments demonstrate a lack of understanding of the independent role of the courts in our democracy," she said.

"The courts exist to make decisions according to the law, not to further the interests of particular individuals or organisations, including government. "They are an independent arbiter of disputes, and politicians need to understand and respect their non-partisan role." Ms Needham said courts were not the servant of the government, and "any such implication is inimical to the basic principle of the separation of powers", which is fundamental to the Westminster system. She said it was critical that courts made decisions on the basis of the legislation they were charged to interpret, and the facts of each case before them. "Legislation imposes strict conditions on developments such as coal mines, and the courts' task in these circumstances is to scrutinise the executive's actions to ensure that any approvals fall within legislative parameters," she said.

Mr Abbott said on Friday people had grounds to be "angry" that a court had overturned approval for the mine. Mr Abbott, who has previously praised coal as "good for humanity", said every project must adhere to the rules and the highest environmental standards, and opponents had the right to mount a court challenge. '[But] this is a $21 billion investment … it will create 10,000 jobs in Queensland and elsewhere in our country," he said. Mr Shorten said Mr Abbott should concentrate on his day job, and not act as "commentator-in-chief" on Federal Court matters. "I don't think it is right that the leader of this nation is now second-guessing our judges," he said.

"Mr Abbott seems to be creating a new test for environmental protection in this country that near enough is good enough. Well it's not." Mr Hunt has reportedly signalled an intention to remove the legal provision that scuppered the mine's approval. Mr Shorten said the government could work with Labor on "sensible amendments which may need to be made", rather than attacking the court system. The coal lobby has been buoyed by Mr Abbott's outspoken support for the industry. Minerals Council of Australia chief executive Brendan Pearson said: "[Mr] Abbott has issued a compelling and timely warning about the risk posed to the Australian economy by a small, well-funded, ideologically motivated campaign to halt mining projects."

Mackay Conservation Group co-ordinator Ellen Roberts, whose group launched the legal challenge against the Adani proposal, said the Abbott government had launched a "savage attack" on her group and the nation's environmental laws. She said the laws on which the case was based should not be changed.



"The legal system is in place to protect us and the world around us. Clearly the government thinks it is above the law," Ms Roberts said.





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