State of Western Australia v Allen on behalf of Nyamal #1 [2021] FCA 574

Federal Court of Australia

State of Western Australia v Allen on behalf of Nyamal #1 [2021] FCA 574 Appeal from: Kevin Allen and Others on behalf of Nyamal #1 v Mining Equities Pty Ltd [2020] NNTTA 78

File number: WAD 8 of 2021

Judgment of: MCKERRACHER J

Date of judgment: 31 May 2021

Catchwords: NATIVE TITLE – right to negotiate provisions – whether a proposed grant of an exploration license should attract the expedited procedure – whether the National Native Title Tribunal erred in finding that it was not unlikely that the act would cause a major disturbance to land or waters – where the Tribunal relied solely on a submission from the grantee party that any major disturbances would be kept to a minimum

Legislation: Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) ss 29, 32, 32(3), 32(4), 37, 75, 85A, 108(1), 139, 162(1), 162(2), 169(1), 237, 237(a), 237(b), 237(c) Mining Act 1978 (WA)

Cases cited: Cheedy v Western Australia (No 2) (2011) 199 FCR 23; [2011] FCAFC 163 Dann v Western Australia (1997) 74 FCR 391; [1997] FCA 332 FMG Pilbara Pty Ltd v Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC (2014) 227 FCR 182; [2014] FCA 1335 Kostas v HIA Insurance Services Pty Ltd (2010) 241 CLR 390; [2010] HCA 32 Little v Oriole Resources Pty Ltd [2005] FCA 506 Little v Oriole Resources Pty Ltd (2005) 146 FCR 576; [2005] FCAFC 243 Parker v Western Australia (2008) 167 FCR 340; [2008] FCAFC 23 Smith (on behalf of the Gnaala Karla Booja People) v Western Australia (2001) 108 FCR 442; [2001] FCA 19 Ward v Western Australia (1996) 69 FCR 208; [1996] FCA 334