Ngan Aak-Kunch Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC v Glencore Bauxite Resources Pty Ltd [2017] FCA 265

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Ngan Aak-Kunch Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC v Glencore Bauxite Resources Pty Ltd [2017] FCA 265 Review of: Ngan Aak-Kunch Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC v Glencore Bauxite Resources Pty Ltd [2016] NNTTA 22

File number: QUD 513 of 2016

Judge: REEVES J

Date of judgment: 17 March 2017

Catchwords: NATIVE TITLE – right to negotiate provisions – expedited procedure – where a mineral development licence was sought over land subject to native title – operation of the expedited negotiation procedure under s 32 Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) – whether the National Native Title Tribunal erred in finding that native title protection conditions were likely to be imposed on the grant of the proposed licence – whether the Tribunal erred in concluding the conditions of the proposed licence were not likely to be varied – whether the Tribunal made a valid predictive assessment of the likelihood of major disturbance under s 237(c) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth)

Legislation: Mineral Resources Act 1989 (Qld) Native Title Act 1993 (Cth)

Cases cited: Dann v Western Australia (1997) 74 FCR 391 Little v Oriole Resources Pty Ltd (2005) 146 FCR 576; [2005] FCAFC 243 Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Wu Shan Liang (1996) 185 CLR 259 Ngan Aak-Kunch Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC v Glencore Bauxite Resources Pty Ltd [2016] NNTTA 22 Smith v Western Australia (2001) 108 FCR 442; [2001] FCA 19 Ward v State of Western Australia (1996) 69 FCR 208