Jeffery James and Others representing the Martu People (WC96/78)/Western Australia/Metex Resources Nl

[2001] NNTTA 61

NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE TRIBUNAL

Jeffery James and Others representing the Martu People (WC96/78)/Western Australia/Metex Resources NL, [2001] NNTTA 61 (6 July 2001)

Application No:        WO00/386

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

Jeffery James and Others representing the Martu People (WC96/78) (native title party)

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The State of Western Australia (Government party)

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Metex Resources NL (grantee party)

DECISION TO DISMISS OBJECTION APPLICATION

Tribunal:       Member Hon C J Sumner
Place:             Perth
Date:              6 July 2001

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grant of exploration licences – expedited procedure objection application – application for exploration licences withdrawn – objection application dismissed.

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

REASONS FOR DECISION TO DISMISS OBJECTION APPLICATION

1. On 17 May 2000, the Government party gave notice of its intention to grant Exploration Licences 45/2214 and 45/2215 to Metex Resources NL (‘the grantee party’) and included in the notice a statement that it considered that the grant attracted the expedited procedure.

1. On 17 August 2000, Jeffery James and Others representing the Martu People (’the native title party’) made an expedited procedure objection application to the Tribunal.

1. The Department of Minerals and Energy on behalf of the Government party has advised the Tribunal that on 9 March 2001, the exploration licence application made by Metex Resources NL were discontinued.

Decision

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

Hon C J Sumner

Deputy President
6 July 2001