Moses v State of Western Australia

• Jurisdiction: Australia Federal only
• Judgment Date: 07 June 2007
• Neutral Citation: [2007] FCAFC 78
• Court: Full Federal Court (Australia)

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Moses v State of Western Australia [2007] FCAFC 78

NATIVE TITLE – determination of native title rights and interests – Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) s 223(1) – whether connection to land and waters by traditional laws and customs – whether land-holding system “traditional”

NATIVE TITLE – determination of native title rights and interests – sufficiency of description of native title holders

NATIVE TITLE – prescribed bodies corporate – Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) ss 56(2) and 57(2) – where determination of native title rights and interests recognises two separate native title holding groups – whether ss 56(2) and 57(2) allow nomination of more than one prescribed body corporate in respect of determination area

NATIVE TITLE – Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) – extinguishment – extinguishing effect of grant of pastoral leases

NATIVE TITLE – Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) – determination of native title rights and interests – whether recognition of native title rights and interests should be limited to areas in which they are currently exercised

NATIVE TITLE – disregarding extinguishment – Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) s 47A(1)(b)(ii) – whether pastoral lease and freehold titles held expressly for the benefit of Aboriginal peoples – where land held by company incorporated under general companies legislation – where objects of major shareholder concerned with benefiting Aboriginal peoples

NATIVE TITLE – disregarding extinguishment – reservations - Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) s 47B(1)(b) – whether temporary reserves created under Mining Act 1904 (WA) “reservations” under s 47B(1)(b)(ii) – whether evidence sufficient to establish occupation of areas under s 47B(1)(c)

PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – appeals – certain appeal grounds only to be allowed by consent – Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) s 25(2B)(b) – whether s 25(2B)(b) permits disposal of some appeal grounds by consent prior to determination of balance of appeal

Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) ss 23B(9)(b), 47, 47A, 47B, 56(2), 57(2), 61, 68, 87, 94A, 223, 225, 228(3), 238, 251B

Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth)

Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) ss 24(1)(a), 25(2B)(b), 27, 28

Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act 1976 (Cth) s 58A

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989 (Cth) ss 14, 191A

Aboriginal Development Commission Act 1980 (Cth)

Native Title Amendment Bill (No 2) 1997 (Cth)

Native Title (Prescribed Bodies Corporate) Regulations 1999 (Cth) regs 5, 8, 9

Titles (Validation) and Native Title (Effect of Past Acts) Act 1995 (WA) s 12I

Country Areas Water Supply Act 1947 (WA)

Land Administration Act 1997 (WA) s 79

Mining Act 1904 (WA) ss 26, 275, 276, 276A, 277, 277A, 278

Land Act 1933 (WA) s 116

Companies Act 1961 (WA)

Associations Incorporation Act 1895-1969 (WA)

Miscellaneous Acts Amendment (Aboriginal Community Living Areas) Act 1989 (NT)

Mining Act 1978 (WA)

Cossack-Roebourne Tramway Act 1886 (WA)

Alyawarr, Kaytetye, Warumungu, Wakay Native Title Claim Group v Northern Territory (2004) 207 ALR 539; [2004] FCA 472 cited

Australian Anglo American Prospecting Ltd v CRA Exploration Pty Ltd [1981] WAR 97 referred to

Bodney v Bropho [2004] FCAFC 226 cited

Colbung v Western Australia [2003] FCA 774 cited

CSR v Della Maddalena (2006) 224 ALR 1, [2006] HCA 1 referred to

Dale v Moses [2007] FCAFC 82cited

De Rose v State of South Australia (2003) 133 FCR 325 cited

De Rose v State of South Australia (No 2) (2005) 145 FCR 290; [2005] FCAFC 110 discussed

Erubam Le (Darnley Islanders) No 1 v State of Queensland (2003) 134 FCR 155 cited

Griffiths v Northern Territory [2006] FCA 903 referred to

Gumana v Northern Territory of Australia (No 2) [2005] FCA 1425 cited

Hayes v Northern Territory (1999) 97 FCR 32 considered

Kokatha Native Title Claim v South Australia (2005) 143 FCR 544 referred to

Mabo v Queensland (No 2) (1992) 175 CLR 1 referred to

Members of the Yorta Yorta Aboriginal Community v Victoria (2002) 214 CLR 422 discussed

Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Kurtovic (1990) 21 FCR 193 considered

Munn v State of Queensland [2002] FCA 486 referred to

Neowarra v State of Western Australia [2003] FCA 1402 considered

Newcastle City Council v Royal Newcastle Hospital [1959] AC 248 referred to

Northern Territory of Australia v Alyawarr, Kaytetye, Warumungu, Wakaya Native Title Claim Group (2005) 145 FCR 442 discussed

Risk v Northern Territory of Australia [2006] FCA 404 considered

Rubibi Community v State of Western Australia (No 7) [2006] FCA 459 considered

Rubibi Community v Western Australia (2001) 112 FCR 409 cited

Sampi v Western Australia (No 3) [2005] FCA 1716 referred to

Sampi v Western Australia [2005] FCA 777 referred to

State of Western Australia v Ward (2000) 99 FCR 316 followed, discussed

The Commonwealth of Australia v Yarmirr (2001) 208 CLR 1 referred to

Thomson Australian Holdings Pty Ltd v Trade Practices Commission (1981) 148 CLR 150 referred to

Transurban City Link Ltd v Allan (1999) 95 FCR 553 cited

VTAG v Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (2005) 141 FCR 291 referred to

Western Australia v Ward (2002) 213 CLR 1 followed, discussed

Wilson v Anderson (2002) 190 ALR 313 cited

DAISY MOSES, ROGER BARKER, JILL CHURNSIDE, TREVOR SOLOMON AND LES HICKS (ON BEHALF OF THE NGARLUMA PEOPLE) AND BRUCE MONADEE, MARY WALKER, BRUCE WOODLEY, MICHELLE ADAMS, JIMMY HORACE, LINDA RYDER AND JUDY ALBERT (ON BEHALF OF THE YINDJIBARNDI PEOPLE) v STATE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA, P & D COOK, PETER COOK, COOLWANYAH PASTORAL COMPANY PTY LTD, MALLINA STATION, PEDO PTY LTD (MALLINA STATION) AND COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

STATE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA AND COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA v DAISY MOSES, ROGER BARKER, JILL CHURNSIDE, TREVOR SOLOMON AND LES HICKS (ON BEHALF OF THE NGARLUMA PEOPLE) AND BRUCE MONADEE, MARY WALKER, BRUCE WOODLEY, MICHELLE ADAMS, JIMMY HORACE, LINDA RYDER AND JUDY ALBERT (ON BEHALF OF THE YINDJIBARNDI PEOPLE); P & D COOK, PETER COOK, COOLAWANYAH PASTORAL COMPANY PTY LTD, MALLINA STATION, PEDO PTY LTD (MALLINA STATION) AND MT WELCOME PASTORAL CO PTY LTD (ACN 008 772 441)

WAD 114 OF 2005

MOORE, NORTH & MANSFIELD JJ

7 JUNE 2007

sydney (via video link to PERTH)

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA
WESTERN AUSTRALIA DISTRICT REGISTRY	WAD 114 OF 2005

ON APPEAL FROM A SINGLE JUDGE OF THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

BETWEEN:	DAISY MOSES, ROGER BARKER, JILL CHURNSIDE, TREVOR SOLOMON AND LES HICKS (on behalf of the Ngarluma People) AND BRUCE MONADEE, MARY WALKER, BRUCE WOODLEY, MICHELLE ADAMS, JIMMY HORACE, LINDA RYDER AND JUDY ALBERT (on behalf of the Yindjibarndi People) Appellant
AND:	STATE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA First Respondent P & D COOK, PETER COOK, COOLWANYAH PASTORAL COMPANY PTY LTD, MALLINA STATION, PEDO PTY LTD (MALLINA STATION) Second Respondent COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Third Respondent
BETWEEN: AND:	STATE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA First Cross Appellant COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Second Cross Appellant DAISY MOSES, ROGER BARKER, JILL CHURNSIDE, TREVOR SOLOMON AND LES HICKS (on behalf of the Ngarluma People) BRUCE MONADEE, MARY WALKER, BRUCE WOODLEY, MICHELLE ADAMS, JIMMY HORACE, LINDA RYDER AND JUDY ALBERT (on behalf of the Yindjibarndi People) First Cross Respondents P & D COOK, PETER COOK, COOLAWANYAH PASTORAL COMPANY PTY LTD, MALLINA STATION, PEDO PTY LTD (MALLINA STATION) Second Cross Respondents MT WELCOME PASTORAL CO PTY LTD (ACN 008 772 441) Third Cross Respondents

JUDGES:	MOORE, NORTH & MANSFIELD JJ
DATE OF ORDER:	7 JUNE 2007
WHERE MADE:	SYDNEY (VIA VIDEO LINK TO PERTH)

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1. Each party do within 28 days, or such further time as may be allowed, submit a final form of orders to give effect to these reasons for judgment.

Note: Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with in Order 36 of the Federal Court Rules.

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA
WESTERN AUSTRALIA DISTRICT REGISTRY	WAD 114 OF 2005

ON APPEAL FROM A SINGLE JUDGE OF THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

BETWEEN:	DAISY MOSES, ROGER BARKER, JILL CHURNSIDE, TREVOR SOLOMON AND LES HICKS (on behalf of the Ngarluma People) AND BRUCE MONADEE, MARY WALKER, BRUCE WOODLEY, MICHELLE ADAMS, JIMMY HORACE, LINDA RYDER AND JUDY ALBERT (on behalf of the Yindjibarndi People) Appellant
AND:	STATE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA First Respondent P & D COOK, PETER COOK, COOLWANYAH PASTORAL COMPANY PTY LTD, MALLINA STATION, PEDO PTY LTD (MALLINA STATION) Second Respondent COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Third Respondent
BETWEEN: AND:	STATE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA First Respondent COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALLIA Second Cross Appellant DAISY MOSES, ROGER BARKER, JILL CHURNSIDE, TREVOR SOLOMONAND LES HICKS (on behalf of the Ngarluma People) BRUCE MONADEE, MARY WALKER, BRUCE WOODLEY, MICHELLE ADAMS, JIMMY HORACE, LINDA RYDER AND JUDY ALBERT (on behalf of the Yindjibarndi People) First Cross Respondents P & D COOK, PETER COOK, COOLWANYAH PASTORAL COMPANY PTY LTD, MALLINA STATION, PEDO PTY LTD (MALLINA STATION) SecondRespondents MT WELCOME PASTORAL CO PTY LTD (ACN 008 772 441) Third Cross Respondents

JUDGES:	MOORE, NORTH & MANSFIELD JJ
DATE:	7 JUNE 2007
PLACE:	SYDNEY (VIA VIDEO LINK TO PERTH)

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

INDEX

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................. [1]

The reasons of the primary judge............................................................................................ [7]

The claim area...................................................................................................................... [10]

The proceeding at first instance............................................................................................. [15]

The Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi claim.............................................................................. [23]

The...