Gordon Lansen on behalf of the Mara, Alawa, Yanyuwa and Gurdanji People (DC00/15)/Northern Territory/Ashton Exploration Australia Pty Ltd

[2002] NNTTA 58

NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE TRIBUNAL

Gordon Lansen on behalf of the Mara, Alawa, Yanyuwa and Gurdanji People (DC00/15)/Northern Territory/Ashton Exploration Australia Pty Ltd, [2002] NNTTA 58 (22 April 2002)

Application No:        DO01/143

IN THE MATTER of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth)

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IN THE MATTER of an inquiry into an expedited procedure objection application

Gordon Lansen on behalf of the Mara, Alawa, Yanyuwa and Gurdanji People (DC00/15) (Native Title Party)

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The Northern Territory of Australia (Government Party)

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Ashton Exploration Australia Pty Ltd (Grantee Party)

DECISION TO DISMISS OBJECTION APPLICATION

Tribunal:       Prof D. Williamson QC
Place:             Darwin
Date:              22 April 2002

Catchwords:  Native Title – future act – proposed grant of exploration licence – expedited procedure objection application – application for exploration licence withdrawn – objection application dismissed.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION TO DISMISS OBJECTION APPLICATION

1. On 22 August 2001, the Government party gave notice under s 29 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) of its intention to grant Exploration Licence EL/22338 to Ashton Exploration Australia Pty Ltd (‘the grantee party’) and included in the notice a statement that it considered that the grant attracted the expedited procedure.

1. On 21 December 2001, Gordon Lansen on behalf of the Mara, Alawa, Yanyuwa and Gurdanji People (‘the native title party’) made an expedited procedure objection application to the Tribunal.

1. The Department of Business, Industry and Resource Development on behalf of the Government party has advised the Tribunal that on 17 April 2002, the exploration licence application made by Ashton Exploration Australia Pty Ltd were discontinued.

Decision

1. There is no longer any proposal from the Government party to do a future act and accordingly the objection application is dismissed pursuant to s 148(a) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).

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Prof. D Williamson QC
Member