PNG bans legal challenges against resources projects
Posted Mon May 31, 2010 8:23pm AEST on ABC.net.au
Papua New Guinea's parliament has passed legislation effectively banning anyone from using the courts to stop resource projects.
Amendments to PNG's Environment Act mean approvals granted by the environment department's director cannot be challenged in court.
It means people worried about the environmental impact of a resource project can no longer mount a legal challenge to the approvals.
The changes follow complaints from the mining industry after landowners won a temporary injunction preventing a Chinese-owned nickel mine from dumping waste into the sea off Madang.
Environment minister Benny Allen says the extraordinary measures are in the national interest.
Lawyers say the amendments also mean people cannot seek compensation for environmental damage.
