Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has issued a stark warning to the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) in light of a Federal Court ruling.

Her censure follows Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's vow to withdraw public funding from what he termed a “radical” group, should the Coalition secure victory in a future election. 

The controversy centres around the EDO's involvement in a failed legal attempt to obstruct the Santos Barossa gas project, a venture valued at $5.8 billion located in the Timor Sea. The Federal Court found the EDO had fabricated evidence in its case against the project, a judgement that has now prompted the federal government to demand the organisation take the court's findings “seriously”.

Dutton's stance has been echoed by the Australian Energy Producers, with CEO Samantha McCulloch condemning the government's financial backing of the EDO as “ridiculous”.

In contrast, WA Premier Roger Cook has defended the EDO, emphasising the importance of incorporating diverse perspectives, including those of community and environmental groups, in resource development discussions. 

Cook's position highlights a rift between state and federal responses to environmental litigation and the role of organisations like the EDO.

Despite the federal government's current critique, the EDO, under CEO David Morris, maintains its commitment to providing legal services to communities and Indigenous groups, arguing that its work is a vital community service. 

The organisation, which receives a significant portion of its funding from private donations, has been a recipient of federal funding for two decades, with a brief interruption during Tony Abbott's tenure as Prime Minister.