Fourmile, Henrick v Selpam Pty Ltd & Ors Fourmile, Henrick v The State of Queensland & Ors [1998] FCA 67

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA CONSTITUTIONAL LAW - whether a determination of the National Native Title Tribunal as to the non-existence of native title in an unopposed non-claimant application, once registered under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), involves a constitutionally invalid exercise of Commonwealth judicial power - whether subdivision E of Div 5 of Pt 6 the Native Title Act is valid. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW - whether a decision of the President of the National Native Title Tribunal directing Registrar not to accept claimant application on the grounds that a prima facie claim cannot be made out involves a constitutionally invalid exercise of Commonwealth judicial power. NATIVE TITLE - whether the constitution of land as a public road pursuant to a statutory procedure for the opening of public roads extinguishes native title.

WORDS AND PHRASES - "public road".

Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), ss 61(1), 63, 64, 70, 165, 166, 167, 168, 223 Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), ss 25Z(2), 25ZAA, 25ZAB, 25ZAC Crown Lands Act 1884 (Qld), ss 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 49, 95 Crown Lands Act 1884 Amendment Act 1885 (Qld), s 5 Crown Lands Act Amendment Act 1886 (Qld), ss 12, 13 Land Act 1910 (Qld), s 180(3) Land Act 1962 (Qld), ss 362, 365 Land Act 1994 (Qld), ss 23, 108(2), 108(3)

Brandy v Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission (1995) 183 CLR 245, applied The Queen v Quinn; Ex Parte Consolidated Foods Corporation (1977) 138 CLR 1, referred to The Queen v Davidson (1954) 90 CLR 353, considered Harris v Calladine (1991) 172 CLR 84, distinguished D'Antuono v Minister for Health (unreported, 5 December 1997), followed City of Keilor v O'Donohue (1972) 126 CLR 353, applied Mabo v The State of Queensland (No 2) (1992) 175 CLR 1, applied Wik Peoples v State of Queensland (1996) 63 FCR 450, followed Wik Peoples v State of Queensland (1996) 187 CLR 1, applied Fisher v Hebburn Ltd (1960) 105 CLR 188, applied Attorney-General for the Northern Territory v Minister for Aboriginal Affairs (1989) 23 FCR 536, distinguished Owen v O'Connor [1964] NSWR 1312, applied Bass Coast Shire Council v King [1997] 2 VR 5, followed Permanent Trustee Co of New South Wales Ltd v Council of the Municipality of Campbelltown (1960) 105 CLR 401, applied Miller v McKeon (1906) 3 CLR 50, referred to Scott v Shires of Eltham and Heidelberg (1876) 2 VLR (L) 98, referred to Rapley v Martin (1865) 4 SCR(NSW) 173, referred to Western Australia v The Commonwealth (1995) 183 CLR 373, applied Attorney-General (ex rel Pratt) v Brisbane City Council [1988] 1 Qd R 346, referred to Dymond v Pearce [1972] 1 QB 496, followed Director of Public Prosecutions v Jones [1997] 2 WLR 578, followed Nickells v Melbourne Corporation (1938) 59 CLR 219, referred to Johnson v Kent (1975) 132 CLR 164, referred to Wik Peoples v State of Queensland (1994) 49 FCR 1, referred to North Ganalanja Aboriginal Corporation v Queensland (1996) 185 CLR 595, applied FOURMILE v SELPAM PTY LTD & Anor WG 6002 of 1995 FOURMILE v THE STATE OF QUEENSLAND & Anor WG 6003 of 1995 Burchett, Drummond and Cooper JJ Brisbane 13 February 1998