WMC Resources Ltd & Central Norseman Gold Corporation Ltd v Lane, Patricia (In her Capacity as Native Title Registrar) [1997] FCA 173

CATCHWORDS

NATIVE TITLE - action to be taken in relation to accepted applications - action by Registrar whether s66(1) imposes mandatory duty - whether mandatory for Registrar to give notice pursuant to s66(2) to holders of mining lease and other tenements in register - whether Registrar erred in law in failing to give notice of application to holders

Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977, s13 Fisheries Act 1968 (Vic) Interpretation Act 1984 (Cth), s28A Mining Act 1978 (WA) Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), s6, s13, s61, s62, s63, s66, s67, s68, s69, s70, s71, s72, s73, s84, s123, s124, s165, s166, s167, s168, s169, s170, s252, s253 Brandy v Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (1995) 183 CLR 245 Clayton v Heffron (1960) 105 CLR 214 John Cook & Co v Commonwealth (1922) 31 CLR 394 Hilaire v Harvie (1950) 68 WN (NSW) 61 Kanak v National Native Title Tribunal (1995) 132 ALR 329 McGovern v Victoria [1984] VR 570 Members of the Yorta Aboriginal Community and Ors v The State of Victoria (Olney J, 13 October 1995, unreported) Secretary, Department of Social Security v Garratt (1992) 109 ALR 149 Tasker v Fullwood [1978] 1 NSWLR 20 Victoria v Commonwealth (1975) 135 CLR 81 The Wik Peoples v The State of Queensland (1994) 49 FCR 1 WMC RESOURCES LTD AND CENTRAL NORSEMAN GOLD CORPORATION LTD v PATRICIA LANE (IN HER CAPACITY AS NATIVE TITLE REGISTRAR) NO WAG 86 OF 1996 R D NICHOLSON J PERTH 19 MARCH 1997

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA ) WESTERN AUSTRALIA DISTRICT REGISTRY ) GENERAL DIVISION ) NO WAG 86 OF 1996

B E T W E E N: WMC RESOURCES LTD AND CENTRAL NORSEMAN GOLD CORPORATION LTD Applicants and PATRICIA LANE (IN HER CAPACITY AS NATIVE TITLE REGISTRAR) Respondent