Anti-Adani protesters gathered outside the Supreme Court in Brisbane to back activist Ben Pennings in the latest round of his legal battle with the mining company.

The Carmichael coal project proponent began civil proceeedings against Mr Pennings last year, saying the Galilee Blockade spokesman had been instrumental in organising blockades and the occupation of suppliers’ offices.

The company, now operating in Australia as Bravus Mining and Resources, was granted an injunction in September against activities including a ‘Dob in a Contractor’ campaign and online content encouraging collection of confidential information about the mine.

Dispute over confidential information

Marque Lawyers said Adani’s civil case claimed Mr Pennings’ campaigning resulted in a breach of confidence relating to confidential information, inducing breach of contract and intimidation relating to contractors, and a conspiracy to injure Adani’s coal operations in Australia. 

They said Adani wanted the Supreme Court to make broad confidentiality orders in the court case which would permanently ban his lawyers from telling him what confidential information was involved.

“Adani says Ben has taken its confidential information, but won’t tell him what that information actually is,” Marque Lawyers partner Kiera Peacock said.

“This creates a real tension with Ben’s fundamental right to natural justice, to know the case he has to defend. That is the tension the parties will be asking the court to resolve.” 

Enough is enough – Adani

An Adani spokeswoman said the court today received submissions that Mr Pennings could not be trusted with confidential documents related to Carmichael project contractors, including contractor identification details and details on project construction.

“Adani’s case claims that Mr Pennings has orchestrated a sustained campaign of harassment and intimidation against Adani’s business, employees, contractors and potential business partners spanning almost a decade,” she said.

“We are saying enough is enough and we are exercising our legal rights to put an end to this harassing and, in some cases, dangerous behaviour, which aims to prevent us from legally and legitimately pursuing our commercial interests.

“This is not about inflicting hardship on Mr Pennings, rather we are enforcing our rights to carry out our business and give regional Queenslanders a fair go in terms of jobs and contracting opportunities.”

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