Conlon v QGC Pty Ltd (No 2) [2017] FCA 1641

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Conlon v QGC Pty Ltd (No 2) [2017] FCA 1641 File number: QUD 120 of 2017

Judge: RARES J

Date of judgment: 13 December 2017

Catchwords: NATIVE TITLE – whether unregistered deed capable of varying Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) registered under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) – validity and efficacy of amendment deed - whether amendment deed supervened contractual force of registered ILUA – whether variation of registered ILUA required registration under s 24CL to be effective – whether earlier authorisation under s 251A of persons to be defined native title party to enter into original ILUA permitted majority of those persons to agree new terms to replace or vary registered ILUA – new terms not considered by native title claim group when granting authorisation – whether clause in registered ILUA permitted majority of native title party to vary it without further authorisation by claim group under s 251A NATIVE TITLE – construction of registered ILUA – whether amendment deed was a decision required to be made "under" the ILUA CONTRACTS – principles as to variation, amendment or replacement of existing contract by subsequent one

Legislation: Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) ss 24CD, 24CG, 24CL, 24EA, 24L, 61, 62A, 199B, 251A, 251B, Pt 2, Div 3

Cases cited: Booker Industries Pty Limited v Wilson Parking (Queensland) Pty Limited (1982) 149 CLR 600 Concut Pty Limited v Worrell (2000) 176 ALR 693 Federal Commissioner of Taxation v Sara Lee Household and Body Care (Australia) Pty Limited (2000) 201 CLR 520 Toll (FGCT) Pty Limited v Alphapharm Pty Limited (2004) 219 CLR 165