Strickland on behalf of the Maduwongga Claim Group v State of Western Australia [2023] FCA 270

Federal Court of Australia

Strickland on behalf of the Maduwongga Claim Group v State of Western Australia [2023] FCA 270 File number: WAD 186 of 2017

Judgment of: JACKSON J

Date of judgment: 27 March 2023

Catchwords: NATIVE TITLE - determination of separate question - rights and interests in lands and waters - overlapping claims - applicant sought determination on native title over land - respondents submitted no distinct land-holding group in the overlap area - whether ancestor of claim group was part of a Western Desert society or part of a distinct society- no distinct land-holding group existed at the relevant time - ancestor determined to be part of a Western Desert society

Legislation: Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) ss 73, 91, 140 Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) ss 82, 86, 223 Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) r 23.13

Cases cited: AB (deceased) (on behalf of the Ngarla People) v State of Western Australia (No 4) [2012] FCA 1268 Akiba on behalf of the Torres Strait Islanders of the Regional Seas Claim Group v State of Queensland (No 2) [2010] FCA 643; (2010) 204 FCR 1 Banjima People v State of Western Australia (No 2) [2013] FCA 868 Booth on behalf of the Gunaikurnai People Claim Group v State of Victoria (No 3) [2020] FCA 1143 Browne v Dunn (1893) 6 R 67 De Rose v State of South Australia [2002] FCA 1342 De Rose v State of South Australia [2003] FCAFC 286; (2003) 133 FCR 325 De Rose v State of South Australia (No 2) [2005] FCAFC 110; (2005) 145 FCR 290 Dempsey on Behalf of the Bularnu, Waluwarra and Wangkayujuru People v State of Queensland (No 2) [2014] FCA 528 Drill on behalf of the Purnululu Native Title Claim Group v State of Western Australia [2020] FCA 1510 Gill v Ethicon Sàrl (No 5) [2019] FCA 1905 Griffiths v Northern Territory of Australia [2007] FCAFC 178; (2007) 165 FCR 391 Gumana v Northern Territory of Australia [2005] FCA 50; (2005) 141 FCR 457 Harrington-Smith on behalf of the Wongatha People v State of Western Australia (No 9) [2007] FCA 31 HG v The Queen (1999) 197 CLR 414 Jango v Northern Territory of Australia [2006] FCA 318; (2006) 152 FCR 150 Jango v Northern Territory of Australia [2007] FCAFC 101; (2007) 159 FCR 531 Mabo v State of Queensland (No 2) (1992) 175 CLR 1 Mason v Tritton (1994) 34 NSWLR 572 Members of the Yorta Yorta Aboriginal Community v Victoria [2002] HCA 58; (2002) 214 CLR 422 Narrier v State of Western Australia [2016] FCA 1519 Neowarra v State of Western Australia [2003] FCA 1402 Northern Territory of Australia v Alyawarr, Kaytetye, Warumungu, Wakaya Native Title Claim Group [2005] FCAFC 135; (2005) 145 FCR 442 Plaintiff M47/2018 v Minister for Home Affairs [2019] HCA 17; (2019) 265 CLR 285 R v Toohey; Ex parte Meneling Station Pty Ltd (1982) 158 CLR 327 Sampi on behalf of the Bardi and Jawi People v State of Western Australia [2010] FCAFC 26 State of Western Australia v Ward [2000] FCA 191; (2000) 99 FCR 316 State of Western Australia v Ward [2002] HCA 28; (2002) 213 CLR 1 The Alyawarr, Kaytetye, Warumungu, Wakay Native Title Claim Group v Northern Territory of Australia [2004] FCA 472 Western Australia v Commonwealth (1995) 183 CLR 373 Yanner v Eaton [1999] HCA 53; (1999) 201 CLR 351