Raymond William Ashwin (dec) & Others on behalf of Wutha v Evanton Ross Harris and Another

[2016] NNTTA 48

NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE TRIBUNAL

Raymond William Ashwin (dec) & Others on behalf of Wutha v Evanton Ross Harris and Another [2016] NNTTA 48 (31 October 2016)

Application No:                  WO2016/0401

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

-and-

IN THE MATTER of an inquiry into expedited procedure objection application

Raymond William Ashwin (dec) & Others
on behalf of Wutha (WC1999/010)  (native title party)

-and-

The State of Western Australia (Government party)

-and-

Evanton Ross Harris    (grantee party)

DECISION TO DISMISS OBJECTION APPLICATION

Tribunal:Ms H Shurven, Member

Place:Perth

Date of dismissal:              31 October 2016

Date of reasons:                31 October 2016

Catchwords: Native title – future act – proposed grant of prosecting licence – expedited procedure objection application – role of Tribunal in expedited procedure objection applications – failure to comply with directions – objection application dismissed.

Legislation:Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), ss 29, 31, 32, 148(b)

Cases:Michael Daniel Teelow/Michael Page/Northern Territory [2001] NNTTA 107; 166 FLR 266 (‘Teelow v Page’)

Western Australia v Ben Ward & Ors on behalf of the Miriuwung Gajerrong peoples & Carnegie Minerals NL & Pecan Holdings Pty Ltd [1996] FCA 993; 70 FCR 265 (‘WA v Ward’)

Representative of the        

native title party:              Mr Ron Harrington-Smith

Representative of the        

Government party:            Ms Bethany Conway, Department of Mines and Petroleum

Representative of the

grantee party:  Mr Evanton Harris

REASONS FOR DECISION TO DISMISS OBJECTION APPLICATION

Background

1. On 20 April 2016, the State Government of Western Australia gave notice under s 29 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (the Act) of its intention to grant prospecting licence P21/741 to Evanton Ross Harris. The area of the proposed licence wholly overlaps the Wutha native title claim WC1999/010. The State included an expedited procedure statement in the public advertisement of the licence, which asserts the State can make the grant expeditiously, that is, without negotiation between the Wutha native title claim group (the Wutha claim group), the State, and Mr Harris.

2. On 20 June 2016, the Wutha claim group lodged an objection with the National Native Title Tribunal against the application of the expedited procedure to the grant of the licence. The Wutha claim group are the only native title party in this inquiry. To answer the question of whether the licence can be granted in such an expedited way, I was appointed by the President of the Tribunal, Raelene Webb QC, to be the Member conducting the inquiry in this matter.

The role of the National Native Title Tribunal in expedited procedure inquiries

1. The expedited procedure process provides that a native title party can lodge an objection against the application of the expedited procedure statement to the grant of a licence (per s 32(3) of the Act). The Wutha claim group has done so in this matter. However, in the context of the s 32 expedited procedure statement, there is no obligation on the State to give the native title party the opportunity to make submissions. There is also no obligation on the negotiating parties to negotiate, in contrast to the procedure required by s 31. That is, under s 32 the native title party has no right, and the other parties have no obligation, to negotiate in the course of the expedited procedure process.

2. Parties need to be aware that once matters come before the Tribunal in an expedited procedure inquiry, the Tribunal’s only functions are to accept an objection, if it complies with s 76 of the Act, and, having done so, determine whether or not the expedited procedure is attracted. If I determine that it is attracted, the State may do the act. If I determine it is not attracted then, and only then, does the right to negotiate arise. Following such a determination, the expedited procedure inquiry process has then been completed. Consideration of a right to negotiate is not relevant to a determination under s 32 of the Act.

3. In practical terms, the Tribunal recognises that an agreement which can be negotiated between parties will usually be preferred by parties over one that is imposed on them through an arbitral inquiry process. The Tribunal also recognises that it takes time to negotiate agreements, taking into account the decision making processes of the parties. However, once an objection is made by a native title party, it must proceed with that objection as quickly and effectively as possible. Where time for negotiation is needed to make an agreement, it will be considered by the Tribunal. However, if a party gives no response or fails to provide information or evidence when directed, it is likely to prejudice the other parties, and may result in the dismissal of the objection.

Should this inquiry proceed or should the matter be dismissed?

1. On 7 September 2016, as this matter had not progressed towards any agreement between the parties, I made directions requiring all parties to produce contentions and evidence for the conduct of the inquiry to determine whether or not the expedited procedure was attracted to the grant of the licence. The Wutha claim group were directed to provide a statement of contentions, documentary evidence and witness statements, verified where possible by affidavits, on or before 18 October 2016.

2. Neither contentions nor evidence were received from the Wutha claim group on or by 18 October 2016. On 20 October 2016, the State wrote to the Wutha claim group’s representative, as well as Mr Harris and the Tribunal, requesting the objection be dismissed because the Wutha claim group had failed, within a reasonable time, to proceed with the objection or comply with my directions.

3. On 20 October 2016, the Tribunal wrote to the Wutha claim group’s representative and Mr Harris, asking them to respond to the State's request to dismiss the objection. Parties were given until 27 October 2016 to respond. No response was received from the Wutha claim group or Mr Harris.

4. In considering the State’s request for dismissal of the objection, I have regard to the applicable principles set out by the Tribunal in Teelow v Page (at [13]). I also note the Federal Court decision in WA v Ward, which established that a determination whether the expedited procedure is attracted is to be made as speedily as possible.

5. As at the date of this determination, the Tribunal has not received any response from the Wutha claim group as to why the objection should not be dismissed, nor has it received any request for extension of directions, nor any reason for non compliance.

6. In the circumstances, the Wutha claim group have been given sufficient opportunity to comply with directions set by the Tribunal, and it would be unfair to prejudice the other parties with further delays. I do not need to answer the question of whether the licence can be granted in an expedited way because I have concluded the objection should be dismissed.

Decision

1. The objection application against exploration licence P21/741 is dismissed, according to s 148(b) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).

Ms Helen Shurven
Member
31 October 2016