"Coal mine challenge reaches Australia's highest court", 13 May 2026

For the couple behind a coal mine expansion challenge that's reached three levels of courts over four years, every fraction of a degree of warming matters…

Climate extremes are only expected to worsen as greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels warm the planet further, prompting the pair to take the fight directly to the coal mines surrounding their farmland.

It's now taken them to the highest domestic court, which is due to hear a case brought against the Mount Pleasant open-cut coal mine near Muswellbrook by a local environment group, headed by Ms Wales, …

The Denman Aberdeen Muswellbrook Scone Healthy Environment Group have been challenging operator MACH Energy Australia's plan to double the mine's output and keep it running out to 2048.

…, the NSW Court of Appeal ruled the mine's approval was unlawful, and that planning authorities are legally required to consider the climate impact of scope three emissions - caused when the coal is eventually burnt, including overseas when exported - on local communities.

MACH Energy is now asking the High Court to overturn that ruling…

"MACH Energy welcomes the opportunity to appear as an appellant to the High Court and will continue to operate in alignment with existing approvals and conditions and seek to provide long-term continuity and certainty for its staff, contractors, customers and the local community," a spokesperson said …

Ms Wales said a decision in the community environment group's favour could set a precedent and "turn a super tanker around"…

The hearing will follow a landmark advisory opinion ruling by the International Court of Justice - the world's highest court - that specified fossil fuel production could count towards the host country and constitute an "internationally wrongful act"…