Nyangatjatjara Aboriginal Corporation & Ors v Registrar of Aboriginal Corporations [2006] FCA 606

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Nyangatjatjara Aboriginal Corporation & Ors v Registrar of Aboriginal Corporations [2006] FCA 606 PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – applications by non-parties to inspect documents on court file pursuant to Federal Court Rules, O 46 r 6 – principle of open justice – public interest in proceedings – no exceptional circumstances justifying refusal of leave to inspect – leave granted. Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act 1976 (Cth), ss 71, 73, 75 Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth), ss 5, 15(1)(a) Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth), ss 17, 50 Federal Court Rules 1979, O 46 r 6 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v ABB Transmissions and Distribution Ltd (No 3) [2002] FCA 609 referred to Macquarie Radio Network Pty Ltd v Australian Broadcasting Authority [2002] FCA 1408 referred to Williams v Forgie [2003] FCA 991 referred to Seven Network Ltd v News Ltd (No 9) (2006) 225 ALR 256 referred to NYANGATJATJARA ABORIGINAL CORPORATION & ANOR v REGISTRAR OF ABORIGINAL CORPORATIONS SAD 73 of 2006 BESANKO J 23 MAY 2006 ADELAIDE

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

SOUTH AUSTRALIA DISTRICT REGISTRY SAD 73 OF 2006

BETWEEN: NYANGATJATJARA ABORIGINAL CORPORATION

FIRST APPLICANT

PHILLIP COOMBES

SECOND APPLICANT

SANDRA ARMSTRONG

THIRD APPLICANT

LESLIE CALMA

FOURTH APPLICANT

MALYA TEAMAY

FIFTH APPLICANT

SANDY WILLIE

SIXTH APPLICANT

ROSSLYN YIPARTI

SEVENTH APPLICANT

AND: REGISTRAR OF ABORIGINAL CORPORATIONS

RESPONDENT JUDGE: BESANKO J

DATE OF ORDER: 23 MAY 2006

WHERE MADE: ADELAIDE

THE COURT ORDERS THAT: