Legal anger after Western Australian law designed to thwart $ 30 billion in proceedings


The High Court of Australia has ruled in favor of Western Australia (WA) law, which specifically prohibits mining billionaire Clive Palmer from suing the state and causing anger from legitimate community members.

Palmer’s mineralogy company pursued WA in a 2012 mining dispute seeking damages of approximately $ 30 billion. However, due to overwhelming concerns about economic harm, the Government of Western Australia took two days to enact a “mineralogy law.” This is an unprecedented law that effectively ends the damage that Palmer sought, urging Palmer to escalate the matter to the High Court.

Professor Emeritus Gabriel Moens of the University of Queensland said the results violated the basic rule of law.

“It’s an abuse of legislative power, and there’s no doubt about it,” Mornes told The Epoch Times on October 13. Punish or punish a specific person. “

In this case, Western Australian lawyer John Quigley admitted that the bill was “unprecedented,” but defended the move due to exceptional circumstances.

However, Mr Mornes said the High Court’s ruling effectively defended the excessive power of the Western Australian Government.

“The High Court basically supports the absolute sovereignty of the Western Australian Parliament in supporting legislation, even in situations where certain citizens are subject to legislation,” Mornes said. rice field.

Western Australian Premier Mark Magawan used social media to celebrate the ruling.

“This is a monumental victory for all Western Australians,” McGowan said on Facebook. director.. “This law is currently endorsed by the Supreme Court of the State and has terminated the mineralogy claim for damages against WA.”

Epoch Times Photo
Premier of Western Australia Mark Magawan will address the media at a press conference at the Dumas House in Perth, Australia, on April 27, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Paul Kane / Getty Images)

McGowan had previously told reporters that the result would have bankrupted WA.

“The potential economic consequences can be disastrous and absolutely disastrous,” McGowan said. “Payment of $ 30 billion will cripple and cripple the state … we have no choice but to take this series of actions to protect all Western Australians.”

Quigley outlined that the cost exceeds the cost of state funding.

“In this regard, Western Australia’s total net debt is on the order of $ 35 to $ 40 billion, and Western Australia’s budget is about $ 30 billion,” said Quigley.

“If the costs of Mr. Palmer’s allegations were evenly distributed among all Western Australians, it would cost more than $ 12,000 to all men, women, children and babies in Western Australia.”

However, Palmer opposed the Government of Western Australia’s ability to enact legislation to prevent citizens from challenging the state.

“They brought about this parliamentary act, which is unconstitutional, primarily as a punishment, because I had a court in court,” Palmer said. 6PR radio..

“You can’t do that. You can’t attack the other party or the parties to the proceedings, just trying to prevent them from exercising their normal rights.”

This was not the first legal objection between the two persons, and Palmer had previously objected to the McGowan government twice to close the state border. One was rejected, but Palmer is now challenging WA over a border policy that only allows vaccination.

Daniel Kumerev

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