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Potential probe into Adani lawyers receives state EDO backing
The Queensland Environment Defenders Office has voiced its support for a potential investigation into Adani’s lawyers, calling their legal strategy “extraordinary and gravely concerning”.
Emma Musgrave
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Queensland Legal Services (QLS) confirmed to the ABC earlier this week that it will “consider and assess” marketing material created by Adani's lawyers, which hail from Brisbane-based firm AJ & Co. According to the ABC, the marketing material pledged to use the legal system to wage “war” on behalf of the mining giant.
“It is profoundly disturbing that lawyers working within our system of justice would believe, or represent, that their job is to be ‘trained attack dogs’ and that their client should regard itself as ‘involved in a war’ that might require ’all-out attack’,” Justice Wilson said.
“It shows a fundamental misconception of the lawyer’s role, which is to advance the interests of justice.”
Jo Bragg, CEO and solicitor at the EDO offered a similar sentiment, noting that the office welcomes news that the probe against Adani’s lawyers is a possibility.
“This is a timely potential investigation by the Queensland Legal Services Commission,” she said.
“Adani appears to have adopted a litigation strategy designed to intimidate. Adani should instead be focused on complying in all respects with Queensland’s environmental laws, not embarking on these kinds of suspect legal strategies.
“This investigation is one more obstacle for Adani, which is already being investigated for unlawful dewatering, site clearance and roadworks at the mine site and for polluting the Caley Valley wetlands, and prosecuted for polluting the Reef.
“The Queensland and federal governments should be asking themselves a bigger question: Is Adani a suitable outfit to be operating in Australia?” Ms Bragg concluded.
Emma Musgrave
Emma Musgrave (née Ryan) is the managing editor, professional services at Momentum Media.
Emma has worked for Momentum Media since 2015, including five years spent as the editor of the company's legal brand - Lawyers Weekly. Throughout her time at Momentum, she has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest stories in corporate Australia. In addition, she has produced exclusive multimedia and event content related to the company's respective brands and audiences.
Prior to joining Momentum Media, Emma worked in breakfast radio, delivering news to the Central West region of NSW, before taking on a radio journalist role at Southern Cross Austereo, based in Townsville, North Queensland.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree from Charles Sturt University.
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