19011 (2026). Hon Dr Deborah Russell to the Minister of Climate Change

Written Question

Published date: 25 May 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	19011 (2026)
Question asked:	12 May 2026
Member asking:	Hon Dr Deborah Russell
Portfolio:	Minister of Climate Change
Minister replying:	Hon Simon Watts
Answer received:	20 May 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_19011_2026
Document guid:	2c89cd37-fa30-4192-b044-2839b724f70e

19011 (2026). Hon Dr Deborah Russell to the Minister of Climate Change: What advice, if any, has the Minister received on the Justice Minister's assertion that "the courts are not the right place to resolve claims of harm from climate change," given the Supreme Court's unanimous 2024 ruling that such claims could proceed?

Hon Simon Watts: In my capacity as the Minister of Climate Change, I have not received any advice on the Justice Minister's specific comment. The Ministry for the Environment provided some advice to me on 4 June 2024 relating to policy options within this context. That advice is legally privileged.