Meet the EDO

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.

Highlights

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.