Torres Strait Islander Activists Lose Climate Change Court Case

In 2021, First Nations leaders Uncle Pabai and Uncle Paul sued the Commonwealth over climate change negligence in the Torres Strait region.

Yesterday, the decision of the Pabai case was handed down, finding that the Australian government does not have a duty of care to protect Torres Strait residents from climate change.

Marlena Holdernesse has the story.

Image: Image: Shutterstock – Aspect Drones

Produced By: Marlena Holdernesse

Featured In Story: Ella Vines, Climate Law Expert at Monash University, and Brett Spiegel, Principal Lawyer at Phi Finney McDonald

First aired on The Wire, Wednesday 16 July 2025