[no bill text published] Prohibition on significant decisions causing greenhouse gas harm to children

Climate Change Amendment (Duty of Care and Intergenerational Climate Equity) Bill 2025

Independent Bill

1st House

2nd House

Law

Introduced by: David Pocock (IND)

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

Decision-makers cannot make a significant decision if greenhouse gas emissions pose a material risk to the health of current or future children in Australia; this applies to decisions involving the exploration or extraction of coal, oil, or natural gas.
Decision-makers must treat the health and wellbeing of current and future children as the paramount consideration for any significant decision.
Children who are Australian citizens or residents can now challenge significant decisions in court; they are legally considered 'aggrieved persons' for judicial review.
People can now seek the official reasons behind a significant decision; this includes decisions made by the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation.
The Minister can make rules to help carry out this Act; these rules cannot create new crimes or taxes.

News articles and press releases