NELA Webinar Series: Rethinking the Origins and Future of Australian Environmental Law
April 29 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm AEST
Free – $20.00
Join us and environmental law experts, Professor Benjamin Richardson and Matthew Austin, to explore the origins and future Australian environmental law against the backdrop of significant environmental law upheaval.
Our webinar ‘Rethinking the Origins and Future of Australia Environmental Law’ will explore the history of Australian environmental law, the importance of reform, and the role of national laws in promoting environment protection and restoration.
More about the webinar
Our speakers will each give a short presentation, before answering any questions from our viewers in a facilitated discussion.
Professor Richardson will speak about the misconceptions surrounding the history of Australian law reforms, where historically the law profession was not active in law reform. Instead, scientists, journalists, artists, and bushwalkers pushed the reform agenda. Professor Richardson will explain why improving the nation’s current environmental laws is constrained by major, systemic obstacles from the past.
Matthew Austin will delve into the development of environmental law from a practitioner’s perspective, discussing how significant case law and legislative changes have altered the public and private sectors’ understanding of environmental law.
More about the speakers
Benjamin J. Richardson is a Professor of Environmental Law at the University of Tasmania. He has held academic positions in universities in Canada, England, New Zealand, and the Netherlands, including as a Canada Research Chair at the University of British Columbia before moving to Tasmania. Professor Richardson is currently completing an Australian Research Council-funded project on the role of conservation covenants to help Australia meet its 30 x 30 targets. His latest book, Before Environmental Law: A History of a Vanishing Continent, examines the origins and making of Australian environmental law.
Matthew Austin is a Partner at King & Wood Mallesons, specialising in environment, planning and resources law. Matthew has over 25 years of experience advising a wide range of development, infrastructure, government, resources and renewables clients. Matthew provides specialist advice on the operation of various State and Federal environment and planning assessment and approvals processes. He advises on major project approvals processes and other project facilitation options, as well as acting for clients on environment and planning disputes, carbon markets, compensation and land acquisition claims.
Registration closes at 4.00pm on 28 April 2024. A Zoom link will be sent out following the close of registration. For any enquiries please contact events@nela.org.au.