A judge has approved an increase in the costs of distributing a $180 million settlement in a stolen wages class action but has said more “frankness” is needed in competitive tenders for the administration gig.
Imposing a duty of care on the Australian government to protect Torres Strait Islanders from climate change would not involve the Federal Court in matters of political judgment, a failed class action has argued on appeal.
A class action is appealing a ruling that found the federal government owes no duty of care to Torres Strait Islanders to protect them from the effects of climate change, with experts predicting the High Court may ultimately decide the issue.
A court has found no legal error in a regulator’s decision to approve Woodside’s environmental plan for its Scarborough gas project in Western Australia, finding the company was not required to specify what would be an acceptable level of emissions.
A judge has found that the government owes no duty of care to Torres Strait Islanders to protect them against the effects of climate change, despite finding that there was a very real risk they could become “climate refugees”.
Environmental group Doctors for the Environment has slammed Woodside claim that its $16.5 billion Scarborough gas project will have a “de minimus” environmental impact and argues the company’s plan does not allow the regulator to assess its real impact.
A judge has approved a $180 million settlement in a stolen wages class action but has criticised the plaintiff’s law firm for the costs incurred in the case and raised doubts about the value of litigation funding.
Class action settlements leaped in value last year, with three settlements topping the $200 million mark.
Funder LLS has urged the court to approve its 20 per cent cut of a $202 million settlement in a stolen wages class action, saying that reducing the “bottom end” rate could deter investments in public interest class actions.
The Commonwealth says funder LLS should not be allowed a 20 per cent cut of a stolen wages class action settlement of up to $202 million, arguing it could produce an “excessive deduction”.