In a stark rebuke to Minister for Environment Sussan Ley, the Australian Greens today welcomed the Federal Court decision to uphold an appeal regarding the sacred Djab Wurrung trees.

Overnight the Federal Court overturned Minister Ley's decision to reject an appeal for the protection of six trees in the path of a highway upgrade on Djab Wurrung Country in western Victoria.

Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP and DjabWurrung traditional owner Lidia Thorpe have today slammed the Environment Minister’s failure to protect the DjabWurrung birthing trees.

The Environment Minister’s assessment of the trees under the ATSIHP Act comes after years of mass community protest against the destruction, by traditional owners and the broader community.