News
4 June, 2025
EDO loses its voice
QUEENSLANDERS are set to lose access to free legal support on environmental and planning issues following the Crisafulli Government’s decision to axe all future funding for the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO), a move that has shocked environmental advocates and legal experts across the state.
Revealed ahead of the upcoming State Budget, the funding cut will impact the EDO’s ability to provide free legal services from its Brisbane and Cairns offices — services that have supported more than 1,500 Queenslanders over the past five years.
The not-for-profit legal centre has helped communities challenge controversial developments, protect endangered species and habitats, and hold corporations and governments to account under environmental and planning law. It is understood that without the Queensland Government funding, this service will be substantially reduced.
The recent announcement has been met with widespread condemnation from leading conservation and legal organisations including Wildlife Queensland, the Australian Marine Conservation Society, the National Parks Association of Queensland, the Australian Conservation Foundation, and the Wilderness Society.
Narelle McCarthy of the Sunshine Coast Environment Council (SCEC) described the decision as “devastating” and highlighted the EDO’s critical role in past environmental legal battles.
“When we took our community legal fight against multinational developer Sekisui House to protect the coastal habitat for endangered loggerhead turtles, the EDO proved invaluable,” Ms McCarthy said.
“Their professionalism, dedication and expertise were crucial in presenting our case during a three-week trial. Having EDO in our corner made all the difference — they gave our community a voice and helped uphold environmental justice.”
Queensland Conservation Council Director Dave Copeman echoed the alarm, calling the move “a devastating blow to public accountability and environmental protection.”
“Queensland is Australia’s most biodiverse state. Yet without the EDO, everyday Queenslanders — especially farmers, First Nations communities, and regional residents — will struggle to access the legal support they need to challenge powerful interests, including fossil fuel and development corporations,” Mr Copeman said.
Dozens of environmental and community groups have signed an open letter to Premier David Crisafulli, urging the government to reverse the decision and reinstate core funding for the EDO.
The Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Minister for Science and Innovation, and Member for Glass House Andrew Powell defended the move, stating the government had honoured the previous Labor funding agreement in full, which expires at the end of June 2025, however no additional money had been budgeted beyond that period of time.
“As part of any future funding considerations, the EDO would need to demonstrate that proper processes are in place,” Minister Powell said, referencing a recent $9 million court cost order against the EDO following judicial criticism.
Mr Copeman rejected the justification, warning that the decision mimics the controversial public service and environmental cuts of the Campbell Newman era.
“In many cases, the EDO is the only means by which the government even hears about environmental breaches. Cutting this service directly undermines Queensland’s ability to protect the Reef, forests and critically endangered species,” Mr Copeman said.
Currently, the EDO is the only legal service in Queensland that provides free, specialised legal assistance on environmental and planning issues.
