Charles, on behalf of Mount Jowlaenga Polygon # 2 v Sheffield Resources Limited [2017] FCAFC 218

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Charles, on behalf of Mount Jowlaenga Polygon # 2 v Sheffield Resources Limited [2017] FCAFC 218 Appeal from: Charles, on behalf of Mount Jowlaenga Polygon # 2 v Sheffield Resources Limited [2017] FCA 1126

File number: WAD 502 of 2017

Judges: NORTH, GRIFFITHS AND WHITE JJ

Date of judgment: 20 December 2017

Catchwords: NATIVE TITLE – appeal from a single judge of the Federal Court of Australia – whether the primary judge erred in concluding that the obligation to negotiate in good faith pursuant to s 31(1)(b) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) did not continue to apply to negotiations which voluntarily take place after a negotiation party has made an application under s 35 for the arbitral body to make a determination under s 38 – appropriate relief – whether to set aside the National Native Title Tribunal arbitral determination dated 14 June 2017, as well as its decision dated 22 May 2017 on the issue of good faith Held: appeal allowed with costs

Legislation: Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) s 13 Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) ss 24AA(2), 24OA, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 30A, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 36A, 38, 39, 40, 41, 75, 76, 77, 139, 141, 143, 150, 151, 152, 156, 162, 233, Subdiv P of Div 3 of Pt 2, Subdiv B of Div 5 of Pt 6, Form 5 Native Title (Tribunal) Regulations 1993 (Cth) reg 4 Mining Act 1976 (WA)

Cases cited: Brownley v Western Australia (No 1) [1999] FCA 1139; 95 FCR 152 Cameron v Hoolihan [2005] NNTTA 84; (2005) 196 FLR 37 Cox v Western Australia [2008] NNTTA 90; (2008) 219 FLR 72 ESSO Australia Pty Ltd v The Australian Workers' Union [2017] HCA 54 FMG Pilbara Pty Ltd v Cox [2009] FCAFC 49; 175 FCR 141 I W v City of Perth [1997] HCA 30; 191 CLR 1 North Ganalanja Aboriginal Corporation and Anor for and on behalf of the Waanyi People v The State of Queensland and Ors [1996] HCA 2; 185 CLR 595 Pilbara Stone Ltd v Cox [2012] NNTTA 114 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority [1998] HCA 28; (1998) 194 CLR 355 S v Australian Crime Commission [2005] FCA 1110; 144 FCR 431 Sheffield Resources Ltd and Another v Charles and Others on behalf of Mount Jowlaenga Polygon # 2 [2017] NNTTA 25 Sheffield Resources Ltd and Another v Charles and Others on behalf of Mount Jowlaenga Polygon # 2 [2017] NNTTA 34 South Blackwater Coal Ltd [2001] NNTTA 23; 165 FLR 232 SZTAL v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2017] HCA 34; 91 ALJR 936 Wacando v The Commonwealth [1981] HCA 60; 148 CLR 1 Walley v Western Australia [1996] FCA 409; 67 FCR 366 Walley v Western Australia [1999] FCA 3; (1999) 87 FCR 565 Western Australia v Taylor (1996) 134 FLR 211