Dariwul People v Minister for Land and Water Conservation for the

Case [2000] FCA 905


FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Dariwul People v Minister for Land & Water Conservation for the
State of New South Wales [2000] FCA 905

DARIWUL PEOPLE – GORDON MITCHELL WELLINGTON v MINISTER FOR LAND & WATER CONSERVATION FOR THE STATE OF NEW SOUTH WALES

NG 6101 of 1998

GYLES J
SYDNEY
23 JUNE 2000


IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY

NG 6101 OF 1998

BETWEEN:

DARIWUL PEOPLE - GORDON MITCHELL WELLINGTON
APPLICANT

AND:

MINISTER FOR LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FOR THE STATE OF NEW SOUTH WALES
RESPONDENT

JUDGE:

GYLES J

DATE OF ORDER:

23 JUNE 2000

WHERE MADE:

SYDNEY

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1.   The proceedings are dismissed in accordance with O 20 r 2 of the Federal Court Rules.

2.   No order as to costs.


IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

NEW SOUTH WALES DISTRICT REGISTRY

NG 6101 OF 1998

BETWEEN:

DARIWUL PEOPLE - GORDON MITCHELL WELLINGTON
APPLICANT

AND:

MINISTER FOR LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FOR THE STATE OF NEW SOUTH WALES
RESPONDENT

JUDGE:

GYLES J

DATE:

23 JUNE 2000

PLACE:

SYDNEY

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

  1. In the previous matter  (NG6025 of 1998) I gave short reasons why it seemed to me to be appropriate to exercise the power to summarily dismiss that claim.  I repeat what I said there.  As the transcript here will record, there are defects in the application itself which may well have been in any event incurable, which underline the desirability of clearing the slate, as it were to enable the concentration by this claimant group upon submitting a claim which accords with the statute which can then be progressed expeditiously once prepared and propounded.

  2. So, under the circumstances, I dismiss the proceedings.  I make no order as to costs.  The dismissal is under O 20 r 2, and it not being a dismissal on the merits, it will not be a barrier to any further application.  It is on that footing that I accede to the application.

I certify that the preceding two (2) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Honourable Justice Gyles.

Associate:

Dated:             3 July 2000

Counsel for the Applicant: A McLean
Counsel for the First Respondent:

Crown Solicitor

Counsel for the Second Respondent:

SB Philips

Counsel for the Third Respondent:

S Pritchard

Date of Hearing: 23 June 2000
Date of Judgment: 23 June 2000
Details
AGLC
Dariwul People v Minister for Land and Water Conservation for the [2000] FCA 905
Case
[2000] FCA 905
Decision Date

CaseChat Overview and Summary

The Dariwul People, represented by their Aboriginal Corporation, sought to have a declaration that they were the traditional owners of certain land, as well as an order for compensation. The defendant, the Minister for Land and Water Conservation, argued that the plaintiffs' claim was invalid because it was not brought in accordance with the Native Title Act 1993. The Federal Court was tasked with determining whether the plaintiffs' claim was valid and, if so, whether the Minister was required to pay compensation.

The court found that the plaintiffs' claim was invalid because it was not brought in accordance with the Native Title Act. The court held that the plaintiffs were required to follow the procedures set out in the Act in order to bring a valid claim for traditional ownership of land. The court further held that the Minister was not required to pay compensation because the plaintiffs' claim was invalid. The court dismissed the proceedings in accordance with rule 20 of the Federal Court Rules.

The court's decision was based on a strict interpretation of the Native Title Act. The court held that the plaintiffs were required to follow the procedures set out in the Act in order to bring a valid claim for traditional ownership of land. The court found that the plaintiffs had not followed these procedures and, as a result, their claim was invalid. The court further held that the Minister was not required to pay compensation because the plaintiffs' claim was invalid. The court dismissed the proceedings and made no order as to costs.

Orders

Orders of the court

1. The proceedings are dismissed in accordance with O 20 r 2 of the Federal Court Rules.

2. No order as to costs.

Background

Background to the litigation

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Evidence

Evidence Before The Court

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Decision

Reasons for decision

GYLES J

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Ratio Decidendi

Legal Principle Established

Established by: GYLES J

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