Harris v State Minister for the State of Queensland [2024] FCA 1059

Federal Court of Australia

Harris v State Minister for the State of Queensland [2024] FCA 1059 File number: QUD 144 of 2015

Judgment of: SARAH C DERRINGTON J

Date of judgment: 13 September 2024

Catchwords: NATIVE TITLE – native title determination application pursuant to s 61(2) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (NTA) – non-claimant application by non-native title interest holder to satisfy s 13(1)(a) of the NTA – application to convert term lease to perpetual lease – whether there are identifiable communal, group or individual rights and interests possessed under traditional laws and traditional customs – whether it is possible to identify a body of traditional laws and customs in relation to the acquisition, transmission and exercise of rights in relation to the Non-claimant Area – whether there has been continuity of traditional law and customs

Legislation: Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) s 20(1A) Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) ss 13(1), 61, 61(1), 61(2), 61G, 63, 81, 84, 84(5), 87, 94A, 223, 223(1), 225(1), 253 Land Act 1994 (Qld) s 165

Cases cited: Alyawarr, Kaytetye, Warumungu, Wakay Native Title Claim Group v Northern Territory of Australia [2004] FCA 472 AB (decd) (obh of Ngarla People) v State of Western Australia (No 4) [2012] FCA 1268 Blackburn v Wagonga Local Aboriginal Land Council [2021] FCAFC 210; 287 FCR 1 Blatch v Archer (1774) 1 Cowp 63; 98 ER 969 Bodney v Bennell [2008] FCAFC 63; 167 FCR 84 CG (Decd) (Obh of Badimia People) v State of Western Australia [2016] FCAFC 67; 240 FCR 466 Dempsey (on behalf of the Bularnu, Waluwarra and Wangkayujuru People) v State of Queensland (No 2) [2014] FCA 528; 317 ALR 432 Drury on behalf of the Nanda People v State of Western Australia [2018] FCA 1849 Fortescue Metals Group v Warrie obh of Yindjibarndi People [2019] FCAFC 177; 273 FCR 350 George on behalf of the Gkuthaan and Kukatj People v State of Queensland [2020] FCA 1310 Jango v Northern Territory of Australia [2006] FCA 318; 152 FCR 150 Lander v State of South Australia [2012] FCA 427 Mabo v State of Queensland (No 2) [1992] HCA 23; 175 CLR 1 Mace v State of Queensland [2019] FCAFC 233; 274 FCR 41 McLennan on Behalf of the Jangga People No #3 v State of Queensland [2023] FCAFC 191; 301 FCR 452 Members of the Yorta Yorta Aboriginal Community v Victoria [2002] HCA 58; 214 CLR 422 Nona on behalf of the Badulgal, Mualgal and Kaurareg Peoples (Warral & Ului) v State of Queensland (No 5) [2023] FCA 135 Northern Territory of Australia v Alyawarr, Kaytetye, Warumungu, Wakaya Native Title Claim Group [2005] FCAFC 135; 145 FCR 442 Owens on behalf of the Tagalaka People v State of Queensland [2012] FCA 1396 Rainbow on behalf of Kurtjar People v State of Queensland (No 2) [2021] FCA 1251 Ross on behalf of the Cape York United #1 Claim Group v State of Queensland (No 25) (Kunjen Olkol determination) [2024] FCA 741 Ross on behalf of the Cape York United #1 Claim Group v State of Queensland (No 26) (Kowanyama People #2 determination) [2024] FCA 742 Ross on behalf of the Cape York United #1 Claim Group v State of Queensland (No 27) (Kowanyama People #3 identified parcels determination) [2024] FCA 743 Ross on behalf of the Cape York United #1 Claim Group v State of Queensland (No 28) (Kunjen Olkol and Kowanyama People jointly held area determination) [2024] FCA 744 Ross on behalf of the Cape York United #1 Claim Group v State of Queensland (No 30) (Kowanyama People, Kunjen Olkol and Olkola jointly held area determination) [2024] FCA 746 Sampi v State of Western Australia [2005] FCA 777 Starkey on behalf of the Kokatha People v State of South Australia [2018] FCAFC 36; 261 FCR 183 Western Australia v Ward [2002] HCA 28; 213 CLR 1 State of Western Australia v Ward [2000] FCA 191; 99 FCR 316 Worimi v Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council [2010] FCAFC 3; 181 FCR 320 Wyman on behalf of the Bidjara People v State of Queensland (No 2) [2013] FCA 1229