Alfie Johnny & Ors (Gangalidda & Garawa People #2); Anthony Kerindun & Ors (Wik & Wik Way Peoples); Nga Aak Kunch Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC/Queensland/Teck Cominco Australia Pty Ltd; Gulf Alumina Pty Ltd

[2009] NNTTA 74

NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE TRIBUNAL

Alfie Johnny & Ors (Gangalidda & Garawa People #2); Anthony Kerindun & Ors (Wik & Wik Way Peoples); Nga Aak Kunch Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC/Queensland/Teck Cominco Australia Pty Ltd; Gulf Alumina Pty Ltd, [2009] NNTTA 74  (16 July 2009)

Applications No:        QO08/143, QO08/195, QO09/71, QO09/72 & QO09/73

IN THE MATTER of the Native Title Act1993 (Cth)

- and -

IN THE MATTER of an inquiry into expedited procedure objection applications

Alfie Johnny, Clara Foster, Murray Walden Jr, Terrance Taylor, Jimmy Pryo, Jacky Green, Jack Hogan, Hilton Charlie, Albert Charlie on behalf of the Gangalidda & Garawa People #2      (native title party)

- and –

Anthony Kerindun, Silas Wolmby, Victor Kuukumu Lawrence, Hogan Shortjoe, Robert Benon Yeium Holroyd on behalf of the Wik & Wik Way Peoples

(native title party)

- and -

Ngan Aak Kunch Aboriginal Corporation Registered native Title Body Corporate
  (native title party)

- and –

The State of Queensland   (government party)

- and -

Teck Cominco Australia Pty Ltd  (grantee party)

- and –

Gulf Alumina Pty Ltd  (grantee party)

DECISION TO DISMISS EXPEDITED PROCEDURE OBJECTION APPLICATIONS

Tribunal:        John Sosso
Place:              Brisbane
Date:               16 July 2009

Catchwords:   Native title – future act – proposed grant of exploration permits - expedited procedure objection applications – tenements abandoned – no jurisdiction to proceed – expedited procedure objection applications dismissed.

Legislation:Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) s 148(a)

REASONS FOR DECISION TO DISMISS EXPEDITED PROCEDURE OBJECTION APPLICATIONS

[1] On the dates specified in the attached schedule, the State of Queensland (“government party”) gave notice under section 29 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (“the Act”) of its intention to grant Exploration Permits for Mineral (EPM) to Teck Cominco Australia Pty Ltd and Gulf Alumina Pty Ltd (“grantee parties”), and included in the notices a statement that it considered that the grants attracted the expedited procedure.

[2]       On the dates specified in the attached Schedule, the native title parties lodged with the National Native Title Tribunal (“the Tribunal”), expedited procedure objection applications pursuant to section 32(3).

1. On the dates specified in the attached Schedule, Deputy President Sumner, as delegate of the President, appointed me as the Member to constitute the Tribunal for the purpose of the expedited procedure objection inquiries.

1. On the dates specified in the attached Schedule, the Tribunal was advised that the applications for EPM had either been abandoned or partially abandoned so that there is no overlap with any native title determination application. Accordingly the Tribunal no longer has jurisdiction to proceed.

Decision

1. The expedited procedure objection applications specified in the attached Schedule are dismissed pursuant to section 148(a) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).

John Sosso
Deputy President

SCHEDULE  –  DETERMINATION [2009] NNTTA  74 (16 July 2009)

Tenement EPM	Government Party Notification	Objection Application Lodged	Objection Application No.	Member Appointed	Grantee Party	Native Title Party & Application No.	Advice of Withdrawal or Discontinuance
16891	25/06/08	21/10/08	QO08/143	3/11/08	Teck Cominco Australia Pty Ltd	Alfie Johnny, Clara Foster, Murray Walden Jr, Terrance Taylor, Jimmy Pyro, Jacky Green, Jack Hogan, Hilton Charlie, Albert Charlie on behalf of the Gangalidda & Garawa People #2 QC905/3	2/07/09
17244	3/09/08	19/12/08	QO08/195	28/01/09	Teck Cominco Australia Pty Ltd	Alfie Johnny, Clara Foster, Murray Walden Jr, Terrance Taylor, Jimmy Pyro, Jacky Green, Jack Hogan, Hilton Charlie, Albert Charlie on behalf of the Gangalidda & Garawa People #2 QC905/3	2/07/09
17377	10/12/08	9/04/09	QO09/71	21/04/09	Gulf Alumina Pty Ltd	Anthony Kerindun, Silas Wolmby, Victor Kuukumu Lawrence, Hogan Shortjoe, Robert Benon Yeium Holroyd on behalf of the Wik & Wik Way Peoples QC94/3	17/06/09
17377	10/12/08	9/04/09	QO09/72	21/04/09	Gulf Alumina Pty Ltd	Ngan Aak Kunch Aboriginal Corporation (Registered Native Title Body Corporate)	17/06/09
17349	10/12/08	9/04/09	QO09/73	21/04/09	Gulf Alumina Pty Ltd	Ngan Aak Kunch Aboriginal Corporation (Registered Native Title Body Corporate)	17/06/09