Australians call out fossil fuel threat in climate case

Traditional Owner Anne Poelina says coal and gas project approvals put people at risk. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

Ten Australians claim the federal government is failing to protect them from climate extremes in a landmark human rights case lodged with a United Nations committee.

The claimants, including people living with disabilities, First Nations leaders and a firefighter, say Australia is in breach of a prominent human rights treaty by continuing to expand coal and gas exports.