Pitta Pitta Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC v Melville on behalf of the Pitta Pitta People [2022] FCAFC 154

Federal Court of Australia

Pitta Pitta Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC v Melville on behalf of the Pitta Pitta People [2022] FCAFC 154 Appeal from: Melville on behalf of the Pitta Pitta People v State of Queensland [2022] FCA 387

File number: QUD 139 of 2022

Judgment of: JAGOT, RANGIAH AND CHARLESWORTH JJ

Date of judgment: 9 August 2022

Date of publication of reasons: 6 September 2022

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE — appeal against primary judge's refusal to summarily dismiss or strike out compensation application — contested statutory construction questions and factual issues unsuitable for summary determination — no error in primary judge's discretionary assessment — leave to appeal refused NATIVE TITLE — proper construction of ss 61 and 251B(a) of Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) — whether common law holders of native title or only registered native title body corporate has standing to make compensation application — whether claim for compensation authorised — contested construction questions and factual issues regarding content of traditional law and custom triable issues not appropriate for summary determination

Legislation: Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) ss 31A(2)–(3) Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) ss 20(1), 22G(1), 23J, 24AA(6), 50(2), 50, 51, 52A, 56, 61, 61(1), 62, 63, 84C, 84D(4)(a), 224, 251B, 251B(a)–(b), 253 Native Title Legislation Amendment Act 2021 (Cth) Sch 4 Native Title (Prescribed Bodies Corporate) Regulations 1999 (Cth) cl 6(1)(a)

Cases cited: Aplin on behalf of the Pitta Pitta People v State of Queensland [2012] FCA 883 House v The King [1936] HCA 40; (1936) 55 CLR 499 Northern Territory v Griffiths [2019] HCA 7; (2019) 269 CLR 1 Santo v David [2010] FCA 42; (2010) 182 FCR 438 Treadtel International Pty Ltd v Coco [2016] NSWCA 360; (2016) 316 FLR 318