Anderson on behalf of the Numbahjing Clan within the Bundjalung Nation v Registrar of the National Native Title Tribunal [2012] FCA 1215

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Anderson on behalf of the Numbahjing Clan within the Bundjalung Nation v Registrar of the National Native Title Tribunal [2012] FCA 1215 Citation: Anderson on behalf of the Numbahjing Clan within the Bundjalung Nation v Registrar of the National Native Title Tribunal [2012] FCA 1215

Parties: DOUGLAS AND SUSAN ANDERSON ON BEHALF OF THE NUMBAHJING CLAN WITHIN THE BUNDJALUNG NATION v REGISTRAR OF THE NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE TRIBUNAL, ATTORNEY GENERAL OF NEW SOUTH WALES and NTSCORP LTD

File number: NSD 1785 of 2011

Judge: COWDROY J

Date of judgment: 7 November 2012

Catchwords: NATIVE TITLE – application for review of Registrar's decision under s 190F Native Title Act 1993 – Registrar 's determination that native title application does not meet criteria for registration in s 190B – applicant provides additional anthropological evidence – whether Tribunal was required to consider laws and customs of local clan as opposed to wider nation – whether the application meets the criteria in s 190B – discussion of 'society' for purposes of Native Title Act – discussion of anthropological evidence – native title application does not meet requirements for registration – application dismissed.

Legislation: Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) s 55 Federal Court of Australia Rules 2011 (Cth) r 23.12 Native Title Act 1993 ss 109, 190A, 190B, 190F

Cases cited: Dasreef Pty Ltd v Hawchar (2011) 243 CLR 588 Gudjala People No 2 v Native Title Registrar [2007] FCA 1167 Gudjala People No 2 v Native Title Registrar (2008) 171 FCR 317 Gudjala People No 2 v Native Title Registrar (2009) 182 FCR 63 Harrington-Smith (on behalf of the Wongatha People) v Western Australia (No 7) (2003) 130 FCR 424 Jango v Northern Territory (No 4) (2005) 214 ALR 608 Martin v Native Title Registrar [2001] FCA 16 Members of the Yorta Yorta Aboriginal Community v Victoria (2002) 214 CLR 422 Northern Territory of Australia v Alyawarr, Kaytetye, Warumungu, Wakaya Native Title Group (2005) 145 FCR 442 Northern Territory of Australia v Doepel (2003) 133 FCR 112 Sampi v Western Australia [2005] FCA 777 Sampi on behalf of Bardi and Jawi People v Western Australia (2010) 266 ALR 537 Strickland v Native Title Registrar (1999) 168 ALR 242 Sydneywide Distributors v Red Bull Australia Pty Ltd (2002) 55 IPR 354 Ward on behalf of the Miriuwung and Gajerrong People v State of Western Australia (1998) 159 ALR 483 Western Australia v Strickland (2000) 99 FCR 33 Western Australia v Ward (2000) 99 FCR 316 Wood v R [2012] NSWCCA 21