Marianne Velickovic & Ors on behalf of Widji/Western Australia/Western Resources Pty Ltd, Zetek Resources Pty Ltd

[2011] NNTTA 44

NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE TRIBUNAL

Marianne Velickovic & Ors on behalf of Widji/Western Australia/Western Resources Pty Ltd, Zetek Resources Pty Ltd, [2011] NNTTA 44 (16 March 2011)

Application Nos:        WO10/997, WO10/998, WO10/999

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

-and-

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

Marianne Velickovic & Ors on behalf of Widji (native title party)

-and-

The State of Western Australia (Government party)

-and-

Western Resources Pty Ltd, Zetek Resources Pty Ltd (grantee party)

DECISION TO DISMISS OBJECTION APPLICATIONS

Tribunal:  Hon C J Sumner, Deputy President
Place:  Perth
Date of dismissal:              8 March 2011
Date of reasons:                 16 March 2011

Catchwords:  Native title – future acts – proposed grant of prospecting and exploration licences – expedited procedure objection applications – failure to comply with directions – springing order dismissing expedited procedure objection applications in event of non-compliance – objection applications dismissed.

Legislation:Native Title Act1993 (Cth) ss 29, 148(b)

Cases:Leonne Velickovic on behalf of the Widji People/Western Australia/Frederick Saunders, NNTT WO05/564, [2006] NNTTA 76 (15 June 2006), Hon C J Sumner

Representative of the        

native title party:               Ms Ashe St Claire, Desert Management Pty Ltd

Representative of the        

Government party:           Mr Clyde Lannan, Department of Mines and Petroleum

Representative of the        

grantee party:  Mr Eamon Cornelius, Western Tenement Services

REASONS FOR DECISION TO DISMISS OBJECTION APPLICATIONS

Background

1. On 14 July 2010, the Government party gave notice under s 29 of the Native Title Act1993 (Cth) of its intention to grant prospecting licence P24/4512 and exploration licences E24/168 and E24/169 to Western Resources Pty Ltd and Zetek Resources Pty Ltd and included in the notice a statement that it considered that the grants attracted the expedited procedure.

2. On 9 July 2010, Marianne Velickovic & Ors on behalf of Widji – native title claim no WC98/27, registered from 15 June 1998 (‘the native title party’) made expedited procedure objection applications to the Tribunal in relation to P24/4512 (WO10/997), E24/168 (WO10/998) and E24/169 (WO10/999).

Relevant facts

1. In each case the Tribunal made directions on 2 August 2010 requiring all parties to produce contentions and evidence for the conduct of the inquiry to determine whether or not the expedited procedure was attracted. The native title party was to provide a statement of contentions, documentary evidence and witness statements verified where possible by affidavits on or before 8 March 2011. The directions imposed a springing order which has the effect of immediately dismissing the objection application pursuant to s 148(b) of the Native Title Act if there is non-compliance by close of business on the due date.  In making the decision to impose the springing order I adopted the Tribunal’s findings in Leonne Velickovic on behalf of the Widji People/Western Australia/Frederick Saunders, NNTT WO05/564, [2006] NNTTA 76 (15 June 2006), Hon C J Sumner at [15]–[21]. The native title party has in each case failed to comply by the due date.

Decision

1. Expedited procedure objection applications WO10/997, WO10/998 and WO10/999 are dismissed pursuant to s 148(b) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).

Hon C J Sumner
Deputy President
16 March 2011