At 5.55 pm yesterday, Friday, counsel for the Minister for the Environment Tanya Plibersek informed the Federal Court that she would decide by 31 July on the previous government’s approval for MMG to begin drilling operations for a toxic waste dump in the takayna/Tarkine rainforest.

This removed the need for a management hearing by the Federal Court on Monday morning but not for the challenge by the BBF to the Morrison government approval, set down for 19 – 20 July.

Bob Brown says that Plibersek should direct MMG to dispose of its acid waste outside takayna / Tarkine, before 19 July. That would obviate the need for this court hearing on 19 July.

"However, after the Albanese government’s approvals of the giant Scarborough gas project and the Gelorup highway corridor through rare-species-rich habitat in Western Australia, there is no guarantee the minister will stand by the Tasmanian rainforest environment either," Brown said.

"Minister Plibersek is in communication with MMG but has ignored communications with BBF on the takayna/Tarkine issue. This week MMG took heavy machinery in and out of the contentious area. Two more BBF forest defenders were arrested while Plibersek said nothing."

Over the weekend 50 people are visiting the takayna rainforest threatened by MMG’s proposed waste dump.