The High Court has rejected Clive Palmer’s latest challenge against Western Australia’s COVID-19 border ban.
The court found that the state’s quarantine directions and the emergency management law authorising them did not breach the constitution, after the mining magnate argued the restrictions infringed on trading rights.
The chief justice, Susan Kiefel, said the court had found the emergency laws complied with the constitution.
The court also ordered Mr Palmer to pay costs.
Western Australian Premier, Mark McGowan, said the court ruling was a “significant victory” for the state.
“I will always fight to protect the health of Western Australians,” he said in a statement.
The Premier told reporters that Mr Palmer would potentially be liable for “hundreds of thousands” of dollars in legal costs following the courtroom defeat.
Mr McGowan has announced that WA will reopen to all states and territories from November 14, while some restrictions will remain in place for residents of Victoria and NSW.
Palmer currently has eight court actions against the state of WA and senior ministers, including a dispute over an iron ore project, a contempt of court matter and a defamation case against the Premier.
