 History
The Western Australian EDO is part of a national
network of EDOs servicing each Australian State and Territory. Australia's
first EDO was established in New South Wales in 1986. In the
early 1990s EDOs were established in Victoria and Queensland.
A group of concerned lawyers joined forces with the Conservation
Council of Western Australia Inc to
form the Western Australian EDO in late 1995. Funding was obtained
from the
Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department,
and the EDO commenced full time operation in March 1996. The first
employees of the
EDO were a full-time solicitor (Michael Bennett) and part-time
Coordinator (Margaret Robertson). The first Convenor of the EDO
was Justice Michael Barker, President of the State Administrative Tribunal
of Western Australia.
Like EDOs
in other States, the Western Australian EDO operates independently
from government.
For more information on our activities, view our Annual
Reports or browse our
newsletters.
With the help of our members, donors and volunteers, the EDO has
been able to argue a number of important environmental issues
before the courts. Here are just some of the highlights of cases
the EDO has
been involved with:
1997 – Community objections to
mining activities permitted
1997 – CALM not bound by fauna
protection laws or forest management plans
1998 – Environmental objections
can be made to mining activities
1998 – Forest protester conviction
overturned
1999 – Brickworks banned
2001 – Minister for Mines wrong
in not referring mining proposal to EPA
2001 – Documents on land clearing
released under Freedom on Information
2002 – Unlawful coastal
subdivision
 Staff
Principal Solicitor
This position is currently vacant; please email edowa@edowa.org.au for more details.
Kristy Robinson (Outreach Solicitor)
Kristy studied Arts/Laws at the University of Sydney. Before joining the EDO in 2008, Kristy practised in the Environment and Planning group of a private law firm in Sydney for two years. Prior to that, Kristy worked with UNEP-ROE and was involved in capacity building and drafting regional agreements in the Caspian Sea region. Kristy also gained experience volunteering with an environmental NGO in England.
Amber Centa (Office Coordinator)
Amber is a keen environmentalist and has worked for Men Of The Trees Inc and 2 of their associated branches for the past few years. Amber’s most recently held position was Finance Officer at Carbon Neutral where she was responsible for the day to day financial running of the organisation, general administration and organisation of this rapidly growing business. She continues volunteering at Men of the Trees when able - including tree planting and fundraising.
 EDO
rules
The rules for the Environmental Defender's Office WA (Inc) incorporating
all amendments made up to and including 14/10/2003 is provided
here as an Acrobat document.
EDO Management
Committee
The EDO is an incorporated association. Its affairs are overseen
by a Management Committee which is elected annually by EDO
members.
The current Management Committee includes conservationists,
community representatives and practising lawyers.
The current Convenor is Dr Hannes Schoombee.
The current Deputy Convenor is Ms Janice Dudley.
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