Buurabalayji Thalanyji Aboriginal Corporation v Onslow Salt Pty Ltd [2017] FCA 1240

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Buurabalayji Thalanyji Aboriginal Corporation v Onslow Salt Pty Ltd [2017] FCA 1240 File number: WAD 341 of 2017

Judge: MCKERRACHER J

Date of judgment: 20 October 2017

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application for stay of proceedings – exercise of discretion to grant stay – whether respondent has failed to comply with dispute resolution clause CONTRACT – construction of dispute resolution clause – whether dispute resolution clause applicable to the dispute - whether nature of dispute falls within the ambit of the dispute resolution clause – applicable principles – where there is limited content of the procedural aspects of the clause – where dispute involves complex factual and credit issues – where dispute resolution clause does not produce a binding outcome

Legislation: Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth) Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) s 51A Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) ss 29(1), 29(2)(a), 56, 225(b), 225(e), 253 Onslow Solar Salt Agreement Act 1992 (Cth) Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA) Mining Act 1978 (WA)

Cases cited: Badgin Nominees Pty Ltd v Oneida Ltd [1998] VSC 188 Cable & Wireless Plc v IBM United Kingdom Ltd [2002] 2 All ER (Comm) 1041 Dance With Mr D Ltd v Dirty Dancing Investments Pty Ltd [2009] NSWSC 332 Electricity Generation Corporation t/as Verve Energy v Woodside Energy Ltd (2014) 251 CLR 640 Huddart Parker Ltd v Ship Mill Hill (1950) 81 CLR 502 Lipman Pty Ltd v Emergency Services Superannuation Board [2011] NSWCA 163 Mineral Resources Ltd v Pilbara Minerals Ltd [2016] WASC 338 Raskin v Mediterranean Olives Estate Ltd [2017] VSC 94 Savcor Pty Ltd v New South Wales (2001) 52 NSWLR 587 Straits Exploration (Australia) Pty Ltd v Murchison United NL (2005) 31 WAR 187 Zeke Services Pty Ltd v Traffic Technologies Ltd [2005] 2 Qd R 563