Gamogab v Akiba [2007] FCAFC 74

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Gamogab v Akiba [2007] FCAFC 74

NATIVE TITLE – joinder of respondent – where national of Papua New Guinea – refusal on discretionary grounds – nature and extent of discretion where interests may be affected by native title determination – whether exercise of discretion miscarried – where interests not recognised under Torres Strait Treaty – whether political question involved for court – whether claim justiciable – whether interest properly identified and shown to be affected – possible relevance of Torres Strait Act

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – appeal from the exercise of a discretion – nature and extent of discretion – discretion not at large – discretion miscarried Federal Proceedings (Costs) Act 1981 (Cth) Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) ss 66, 84, 85A, 223, 224, 225 Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984 (Cth) ss 3, 8 Torres Strait Treaty (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 1984 (Cth) Treaty Between Australia and the Independent State of Papua New Guinea concerning Sovereignty and Maritime Boundaries in the area between the two Countries, including the area known as Torres Strait, and Related Matters, signed on 18 December 1978 (Sydney). (1978) Aust TS 1985 No 4. (entered into force 15 February 1985) Articles 2,3,4,10,11,12,13 Adam P Brown Male Fashions Pty Ltd v Philip Morris Inc (1981) 148 CLR 170 Cited Akiba & Others on behalf of the Torres Strait Regional Seas Claim People v State of Queensland (No 2) (2006) 154 FCR 513 Reversed Akiba & Others on behalf of the Torres Strait Regional Seas Claim People v State of Queensland (No 3)[2007] FCA 39 Cited Bishop v Bridgelands Securities (1990) 25 FCR 311 Cited Buttes Gas & Oil Co v Hammer (No 3) [1982] AC 888 Applied Byron Environment Centre Inc v The Arakwal People (1997) 78 FCR 1 Cited E I Du Pont De Nemours & Co v Commissioner of Patents (No5) (1989) 87 ALR 491 Cited Gerhardy v Brown (1985) 159 CLR 70 Cited Her Majesty's Attorney-General in and for the United Kingdom v Heinemann Publishers Australia Proprietary Limited (1988) 165 CLR 30 Referred to Kokatha Native Title Claim v South Australia & Others (2005) 143 FCR 544 Considered Minister for Arts, Heritage and Environment v Peko-Wallsend Ltd (1987) 15 FCR 274 Cited News Ltd v Australian Rugby Football League Ltd(1996) 64 FCR 410 Cited Oetjen v Central Leather Co (1918) 246 US 297 Referred to Petrotimor Companhia de Petroleos Sarl v Commonwealth of Australia (2003) 126 FCR 354Considered Re Ditfort; Ex parte Deputy Commissioner of Taxation (1988) 83 ALR 265 Considered The Queen v Carroll [2002] HCA 55 Cited H. Burmester, The Torres Strait Treaty: Ocean Boundary Delimitation by Agreement', American Journal of International Law, vol 76, no 321, 1982, pp 329-30 PENDE GAMOGAB v LEO AKIBA, GEORGE MYE, THE STATE OF QUEENSLAND AND COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA QUD 361 OF 2006