Lewis on behalf of the Warrabinga-Wiradjuri People #7 v Attorney-General of New South Wales (No 3)

[2023] FCA 353

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Lewis on behalf of the Warrabinga-Wiradjuri People #7 v Attorney-General of New South Wales (No 3) [2023] FCA 353

File number:

NSD 857 of 2017

Judgment of:

BURLEY J

Date of judgment:

20 April 2023

Catchwords:

NATIVE TITLE - interlocutory application by related body corporate of existing respondent to be joined as respondent - discretion under s 84(5) of Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) - where related body corporate had come into possession of assets within claim boundaries - where native title claim still in early stages - application allowed

Legislation:

Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) ss 66, 84

Cases cited:

Harrington-Smith on behalf of the Darlot Native Title Claim Group v State of Western Australia [2022] FCA 114

Wilson on behalf of the Wirangu People v South Australia [2022] FCA 829

Division:

General Division

Registry:

New South Wales

National Practice Area:

Native Title

Number of paragraphs:

11

Date of last submission/s:

14 February 2023

Date of hearing:

Determined on the papers

Solicitor for the Applicants:

Maddocks Lawyers

Solicitor for the One Hundred Twenty Sixth Respondent:

King & Wood Mallesons

ORDERS

NSD 857 of 2017

BETWEEN:

LEWIS & ORS ON BEHALF OF THE WARRABINGA-WIRADJURI PEOPLE #7

First Applicant

MAVIS AGNEW

Second Applicant

MARTIN DELAUNEY

Third Applicant

AND:

ATTORNEY GENERAL OF NEW SOUTH WALES

First Respondent

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

Second Respondent

BLUE MOUNTAINS CITY COUNCIL (and others named in the Schedule)

Third Respondent

ORDER MADE BY:	BURLEY J
DATE OF ORDER:	20 APRIL 2023

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1.Pursuant to s 84(5) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), Amplitel Pty Ltd as the trustee of the Towers Business Operating Trust ABN 75 357 171 746 be joined as a respondent party to the proceedings.

Note:   Entry of orders is dealt with in Rule 39.32 of the Federal Court Rules 2011.

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

BURLEY J:

1. By an interlocutory application filed on 18 November 2022, Amplitel Pty Ltd as the trustee of the Towers Business Operating Trust ABN 75 357 171 746 seeks orders that it be joined to the proceeding as a Respondent pursuant to s 84(5) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).

2. The native title claim was filed on 29 May 2017, entered on the register of claims on 1 September 2017 and notified from then until 22 November 2018. The native title applicants oppose the application. Telstra Corporation Limited has been a party since May 2018.

3. Section 84(5) provides for persons who did not comply with s 84(3), by failing to notify the Court in writing that they want to be a party within the 3-month period after the notification day, as specified in s 66(10) of the Act, to apply to the Court to be joined as a party. Section 84(5) of the Act provides:

   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.

4. Section 84(5) requires that before joining a person as a party to the proceeding, the Court must be satisfied of the following three elements:

   (a)the joinder applicant has an interest (of the kind contemplated by s 84(5));

   (b)the interest may be affected by a determination made in the proceeding; and

   (c)it is in the interests of justice for the Court to order the joinder sought.

   See Harrington-Smith on behalf of the Darlot Native Title Claim Group v State of Western Australia [2022] FCA 114 at [5] (Bromberg J).

5. Amy Carseldine, a solicitor at King & Wood Mallesons (which acts for Amplitel), gives evidence that Amplitel is a related body corporate of Telstra and that Telstra has undergone a structural reorganisation, one consequence of which is the transfer of ownership of its physical telecommunications assets that are located within the boundaries of the land and waters that are the subject of the present native title claim to Amplitel. Those assets include 18 main radio towers and 7 main radio towers and exchanges within the claim area.

6. In opposing the application, the applicants do not submit that Amplitel has no interest that may be affected by a determination made in the proceeding, but submit that it is not in the interests of justice that the joinder be permitted. They submit that there has been no reasonable explanation put forward that would justify a five year delay in seeking to join the proceedings, which would result in additional costs in serving documents on it and responding to it. They submit that the interests of Amplitel are already protected by the presence of Telstra as a party, which can make submissions on behalf of Amplitel, and that the joinder at this stage would be unfairly prejudicial to them.

7. Amplitel submits that a determination of native title rights and interests in favour of the applicant may affect the provision of telecommunication services via its assets. It submits that the interests claimed by Amplitel are not already protected by the interests claimed by Telstra, because of the transfer of the assets described above and because Amplitel and Telstra are separate entities.

8. In my view the applicants are correct to accept that Amplitel is a person whose interests may be affected by a determination in the proceedings. The real question in the application is whether any of the discretionary factors applicable in the context of the s 84(5) tend in favour of or against the joinder. In that respect, in Wilson on behalf of the Wirangu People v South Australia [2022] FCA 829, O’Bryan J said at [19]:

   In assessing where the interests of justice lie, regard should be had, among other things, to the objects and purposes of the Native Title Act and the overarching purpose of civil practice and procedure expressed in ss 37M and 37N of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) which includes the just determination of disputes efficiently, in a timely manner, and at a cost that is proportionate to the importance and complexity of the matters in dispute: Kum Sing at [17]. A relevant consideration to the interests of justice is whether those seeking to be joined have provided a satisfactory explanation for any delay connected with their application and the prejudice that may be caused to existing parties to the proceedings if they are joined as a party: Barunga at [163] and [219] per Gilmour J; Jacob v State of Western Australia [2014] FCA 1106 at [4] and [51] per McKerracher J; Allen on behalf of the Nyamal People #1 v State of Western Australia [2018] FCA 320 at [56] and [75] per Barker J; Blucher on behalf of the Gaangalu Nation People v State of Queensland [2018] FCA 1369 at [23]-[27] per Rangiah J; Foster on behalf of the Gunggari People #4 v State of Queensland [2019] FCA 1300 at [9]-[12] per Reeves J.

9. Other factors that may be taken into consideration is whether the interest can be protected by some other mechanism; Harrington-Smith at [73]; whether the applicant for the determination would be significantly prejudiced if the joinder is granted and whether there has been any unexplained delay in bringing the proceedings; Harrington- Smith at [59].

10. In the present case, the reason for the late joinder application has been explained. Amplitel was not until recently the owner of assets within the claim area such that it could advance any interest. While it is true that the affidavit of Ms Carseldine does not, when it could (and should) have disclosed more specifically when the transfer of assets took place, I accept that the description given by Ms Carseldine indicates that a long period has not passed since the transfer. This has the consequence that Amplitel could not have applied to be a party during the notification period. As to prejudice to the applicants, it is likely that the additional costs arising as a result of the joinder are minimal. The same solicitors act for Telstra as well as Amplitel with the same address for service. It is difficult to see that any other form of prejudice will arise. Whilst the applicant submits that the joinder will occasion delay, it is far from apparent how that will arise. The applicant has not yet filed its expert connection report and the State has not undertaken its tenure analysis. In addition, the applicant has foreshadowed that the contents of its connection report may result in amendments to the claim itself.

11. In short, the regrettable fact is that despite being on foot since 2017, the claim is in its early stages. Amplitel has a clear interest in the proceedings. It is in the interests of justice that the application be allowed. I so order.

I certify that the preceding eleven (11) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment of the Honourable Justice Burley.

Associate:

Dated:       20 April 2023

SCHEDULE OF PARTIES

NSD 857 of 2017
Respondents
Fourth Respondent:	MID-WESTERN REGIONAL COUNCIL
Fifth Respondent:	DINAWAN DYRRIBANG UNCLE BILL ALLEN JR
Sixth Respondent:	LLOYD ATKINSON
Seventh Respondent:	EMMA MAY GRACE ATTKINS
Eighth Respondent:	BATHURST LOCAL ABORIGINAL LAND COUNCIL
Ninth Respondent:	JUDY BELL
Tenth Respondent:	BRADLEY ROBERT BLISS
Eleventh Respondent:	PAUL WILLIAM BRYDON
Twelfth Respondent:	KIM MAY BURKE
Thirteenth Respondent:	WAYNE ALFRED CARR
Fourteenth Respondent:	ISABEL COE
Fifteenth Respondent:	LESLIE JOHN COE
Sixteenth Respondent:	LYNDA-JUNE COE
Seventeenth Respondent:	BRENDON JOHN COOK
Eighteenth Respondent:	HAYDON THOMAS CROOK
Nineteenth Respondent:	DEERUBBIN LOCAL ABORIGINAL LAND COUNCIL
Twentieth Respondent:	YANHADARRAMBAL JADE WILLIAM FLYNN
Twenty First Respondent	BRIAN GRANT
Twenty Second Respondent	PETA SUSAN HOLMES
Twenty Third Respondent	KEITH KEMP
Twenty Fourth Respondent	KERRIE LEE LEWIS
Twenty Fifth Respondent	KEVIN SAMUEL MAYS
Twenty Sixth Respondent	KACIE MITCHELL
Twenty Seventh Respondent	MUDGEE LOCAL ABORIGINAL LAND COUNCIL
Twenty Eighth Respondent	CLINTON NIX
Twenty Ninth Respondent	JAYLA NIX
Thirtieth Respondent	PAMELA NIX
Thirty First Respondent	ZAC NIX
Thirty Second Respondent	NSW ABORIGINAL LAND COUNCIL
Thirty Third Respondent	NTSCORP LIMITED
Thirty Fourth Respondent	JOHN THOMAS RILEY
Thirty Fifth Respondent	TREVOR ROBINSON
Thirty Sixth Respondent	ALEXANDRA MAREE ROSS
Thirty Seventh Respondent	CASSANDRA JAYNE ROSS
Thirty Eighth Respondent	SANDRA MAREE ROSS
Thirty Ninth Respondent	ZACHARY JOHN HENDERSON ROSS
Fortieth Respondent	GREGORY JOHN SMITH
Forty First Respondent	JASON SMITH
Forty Second Respondent	KAREN SMITH
Forty Third Respondent	NATLY SMITH
Forty Fourth Respondent	PATRICIA SMITH
Forty Fifth Respondent	ROBERT SMITH
Forty Sixth Respondent	STEPHEN SMITH
Forty Seventh Respondent	LATOYA TERRY
Forty Eighth Respondent	STEPHANIE TERRY
Forty Ninth Respondent	NORMA MARY THOMAS
Fiftieth Respondent	WANARUAH LOCAL ABORIGINAL LAND COUNCIL
Fifty First Respondent	WELLINGTON VALLEY WIRADJURI ABORIGINAL CORPORATION
Fifty Second Respondent	BRETT JAMES WHYMAN
Fifty Third Respondent	DOROTHY FAY WHYMAN
Fifty Fourth Respondent	EDWARD CHARLES WHYMAN
Fifty Fifth Respondent	ROBERT HEWITT WHYMAN
Fifty Sixth Respondent	VANESSA FAY WHYMAN
Fifty Seventh Respondent	PETER HOWARD WIGHTON
Fifty Eighth Respondent	AARON JAMES WILLIAMS
Fifty Ninth Respondent	DALLAS JOHN WILLIAMS
Sixtieth Respondent	TAYLAH JADE WILLIAMS
Sixty First Respondent	TYSON JAMES WILLIAMS
Sixty Second Respondent	ZACHERY AARON WILLIAMS
Sixty Third Respondent	BIANCA JADE WILSON
Sixty Fourth Respondent	DANE JOSEPH WILSON
Sixty Fifth Respondent	DYLAN JAY WILSON
Sixty Sixth Respondent	KYLE JAMES WILSON
Sixty Seventh Respondent	VANESSA ELIZABETH WILSON
Sixty Eighth Respondent	RUSSELL KEITH DICKENS
Sixty Ninth Respondent	EMIRATES HOTELS (AUSTRALIA) PTY LIMITED ACN 113 608 414
Seventieth Respondent	GREGORY LYLE HUNDY
Seventy First Respondent	JAMES WILLIAM EDWARD WALKER
Seventy Second Respondent	WARRUMBUNGLE SHIRE COUNCIL
Seventy Third Respondent	CENTENNIAL AIRLY PTY LIMITED ACN 078 693 722
Seventy Fourth Respondent	SHOALHAVEN COAL PTY LTD
Seventy Fifth Respondent	SITEGOAL PTY LTD
Seventy Sixth Respondent	WALKER QUARRIES PTY LTD
Seventy Seventh Respondent	JAMES BALLAS
Seventy Eighth Respondent	ANNE MARGARET BLAMEY
Seventy Ninth Respondent	CHRISTOPHER JOHN BLAMEY
Eightieth Respondent	LIONEL BRAITHWAITE
Eighty First Respondent	WILLIAM ARTHUR BROWN
Eighty Second Respondent	JANE BURSILL
Eighty Third Respondent	DAVID LEE CLARKE OF PH CLARKE & SON
Eighty Fourth Respondent	LEIGH JOHN DESREAUX
Eighty Fifth Respondent	HEATHER GEORGE
Eighty Sixth Respondent	ANTHONY GIBSON
Eighty Seventh Respondent	PETER RONALD GRIEVE
Eighty Eighth Respondent	ALAN LOVELL HEATH
Eighty Ninth Respondent	KD FOLPP P/L
Ninetieth Respondent	RACHELLE MCMAHON
Ninety First Respondent	RONALD CHARLES MILTON
Ninety Second Respondent	HENRY WILLIAM PEARCE
Ninety Third Respondent	LINDSEY PIGGOTT
Ninety Fourth Respondent	JOYCE MILDRED PURTLE
Ninety Fifth Respondent	GREGORY JAMES ROHR
Ninety Sixth Respondent	TIMOTHY JOHN ROHR
Ninety Seventh Respondent	DIANA LUCY RUTTER
Ninety Eighth Respondent	KEITH LAWRENCE RUTTER
Ninety Ninth Respondent	PAULYNE MAY SANDER
One Hundredth Respondent	ROBYN PEARL SMITH
One Hundred First Respondent	SALVATORE SPANO
One Hundred Second Respondent	AMANDA CAROLINE SEE STEWART
One Hundred Third Respondent	GAY SUMMERS
One Hundred Fourth Respondent	SUNTALA PTY LTD
One Hundred Fifth Respondent	MICHAEL ANDREW SUTTOR
One Hundred Sixth Respondent	ALLAN ALBERT WALES
One Hundred Seventh	WIDDEN STUD PTY LTD
One Hundred Eighth Respondent	RYLSTONE KANDOS ANGLERS CLUB INC
One Hundred Ninth Respondent	WALLERAWANG BRANCH OF THE CENTRAL ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY
One Hundred Tenth Respondent	AUSTRALIAN RAIL TRACK CORPORATION ACN 081 455 754
One Hundred Eleventh Respondent	TELSTRA CORPORATION LIMITED ABN 33 051 775 556
One Hundred Twelfth Respondent	NSW ELECTRICITY NETWORKS OPERATIONS PTY LTD AS TRUSTEE FOR THE NSW ELECTRICITY NETWORKS OPERATIONS TRUST ACN 609 169 959 (TRANSGRID)
One Hundred Thirteenth Respondent	COOYAL PARK RESERVE TRUST R120102
One Hundred Fourteenth Respondent	DUNEDOO SHOWGROUND TRUST RESERVE NO R83113
One Hundred Fifteenth Respondent	OLINDA PUBLIC RECREATION RESERVE TRUST
One Hundred Sixteenth Respondent	EVELYN MARGARET WATSON
One Hundred Seventeenth Respondent	LITHGOW CITY COUNCIL
One Hundred Eighteenth Respondent	WILPINJONG COAL PTY LTD
One Hundred Nineteenth Respondent	PEABODY PASTORAL HOLDINGS PTY LTD
One Hundred Twentieth Respondent	ULAN COAL MINES PTY LIMITED
One Hundred Twenty First Respondent	DUBBO LOCAL ABORIGINAL LAND COUNCIL
One Hundred Twenty Second Respondent	MOOLARBEN COAL OPERATIONS PTY LTD (ACN 077 939 569)
One Hundred Twenty Third Respondent	YANCOAL MOOLARBEN PTY LTD (ACN 638 942 588)
One Hundred Twenty Fourth Respondent	MOOLARBEN COAL MINES PTY LIMITED (ACN 108 601 672)
One Hundred Twenty Fifth Respondent	STEPHEN BRET PARKES
One Hundred Twenty Sixth Respondent	AMPLITEL PTY LTD AS TRUSTEE OF THE TOWERS BUSINESS OPERATING TRUST ABN 75 357 171 746