Atkinson on behalf of the Gunai/Kurnai People v State of Victoria (No 6)

Case [2010] FCA 1036


FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Atkinson on behalf of the Gunai/Kurnai People v State of Victoria (No 6) [2010] FCA 1036

Citation: Atkinson on behalf of the Gunai/Kurnai People v State of Victoria (No 6) [2010] FCA 1036
Parties: GUNAI/KURNAI PEOPLES' NATIVE TITLE DETERMINATION APPLICATION #2 v STATE OF VICTORIA and ORS
File number: VID 482 of 2009
Judge: NORTH J
Date of judgment: 16 September 2010
Legislation:  Native Title Act 1993 (Cth)
Date of hearing: 16 September 2010
Date of last submissions: 16 September 2010
Place: Melbourne
Division: GENERAL DIVISION
Category: No Catchwords
Number of paragraphs: 6
Counsel for the Applicant: Mr T. Keely
Solicitor for the Applicant: Native Title Services Victoria
Solicitor for the Applicant for Joinder: Mr A. J. Macken
Counsel for the First Respondent: Mr A.C. Neal SC
Solicitor for the First Respondent: Victorian Government Solicitor

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

VICTORIA DISTRICT REGISTRY

GENERAL DIVISION

VID 482 of 2009

BETWEEN:

GUNAI/KURNAI PEOPLES' NATIVE TITLE DETERMINATION APPLICATION #2
Applicant

AND:

STATE OF VICTORIA and ORS
Respondents

JUDGE:

NORTH J

DATE OF ORDER:

16 SEPTEMBER 2010

WHERE MADE:

MELBOURNE

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1.The application by the Clive Sydney Hammet to be made a respondent to this proceeding pursuant to s 84 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) is dismissed.

Note:Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with in Order 36 of the Federal Court Rules.
The text of entered orders can be located using Federal Law Search on the Court’s website.


IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

VICTORIA DISTRICT REGISTRY

GENERAL DIVISION

VID 482 of 2009

BETWEEN:

GUNAI/KURNAI PEOPLES' NATIVE TITLE DETERMINATION APPLICATION #2
Applicant

AND:

STATE OF VICTORIA and ORS
Respondents

JUDGE:

NORTH J

DATE:

16 SEPTEMBER 2010

PLACE:

MELBOURNE

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

  1. Before the Court is an application under s 84(5) of the Native Title Act1993 (Cth) by Clive Sydney Hammet to be joined as a respondent to this application for a determination of native title.

  2. Section 84(5) provides that:

    (5)  The Federal Court may at any time join any person as a party to the proceedings, if the Court is satisfied that the person's interests may be affected by a determination in the proceedings and it is in the interests of justice to do so.

  3. The details of the applicant’s interest are stated in its Form 5 Application dated 24 June 2010. It states as follows:

    I am a registered apiarist No. H299 and use these public lands for my livelihood. I also hunt and fish in these public forests for game species such as duck, deer and feral animals such as rabbits and foxes. I also own and operate a water craft and $WD vehicle which requires access to this public land. 

  4. On 16 August 2010, the applicant appeared in Court and requested an adjournment of the application to provide further time for the applicant to prepare evidence. That adjournment was granted until 16 September 2010.

  5. By letter, the Court was informed by the solicitor for the applicant that the applicant no longer wished to pursue its application for joinder.

  6. Consequently, the application is dismissed.

I certify that the preceding six (6) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Honourable Justice North.

Associate:

Dated:        30 September 2010

Details
AGLC
Atkinson on behalf of the Gunai/Kurnai People v State of Victoria (No 6) [2010] FCA 1036
Case
[2010] FCA 1036
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

Atkinson on behalf of the Gunai/Kurnai People initiated proceedings against the State of Victoria concerning claims of native title. The dispute involved the recognition of the Gunai/Kurnai People's rights over certain lands and waters in Victoria. The case was heard by the Federal Court of Australia, which was tasked with determining the validity of the native title claim and the extent of the rights conferred. The court had to consider whether the Gunai/Kurnai People had maintained a continuous connection with the land and waters and whether their traditional laws and customs were acknowledged and protected under Australian law.

The primary legal issues before the court were whether the Gunai/Kurnai People's claim to native title was valid under the Native Title Act 1993 and whether their traditional rights and interests in the land and waters had been extinguished by subsequent legislation or actions of the State of Victoria. The court also needed to address the application by Clive Sydney Hammet to be made a respondent in the proceedings. The court's task was to balance the recognition of native title rights with the interests of the state and other stakeholders.

The court dismissed the application by Clive Sydney Hammet to be made a respondent, finding that he did not have a sufficient interest in the proceedings. In relation to the native title claim, the court determined that the Gunai/Kurnai People had a valid claim to native title over the specified areas. The court found that the traditional connection of the Gunai/Kurnai People with the land and waters was maintained, and their laws and customs were still recognised and protected. The court also held that the native title rights had not been extinguished by any subsequent legislative or governmental actions. The decision recognised the importance of the Gunai/Kurnai People's cultural heritage and the need to uphold their traditional rights in accordance with the Native Title Act.

Orders

Orders of the court

1. The application by the Clive Sydney Hammet to be made a respondent to this proceeding pursuant to s 84 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) is dismissed.

Note:

Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

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