Ross on behalf of the Cape York United #1 Claim Group v State of Queensland (No 10)

The case of Ross on behalf of the Cape York United #1 Claim Group v State of Queensland (No 10) involved a dispute concerning non-compliance by the Cook Shire Council with a Court-ordered timetable in relation to native title agreements. The case was heard in the Federal Court of Australia. The applicants, led by Ross, sought to enforce compliance with the timetables and agreements, while the Cook Shire Council applied for an extension of the deadlines. The State of Queensland intervened in the matter.

The primary legal issues the Court had to decide were whether the Cook Shire Council's application for an extension of the deadlines should be granted and, if so, what the implications would be for the consent determinations scheduled for early October 2022. The Court also had to consider whether the Cook Shire Council should be removed as a party due to its non-compliance with the Court's orders.

The Court found that while the Cook Shire Council had not complied with the Court's previous orders, it was in the best interests of the parties and the Court to grant an extension of the deadlines in the timetables relating to the s 87A agreements. However, the Court was concerned about the Cook Shire Council's continued non-compliance and indicated that it may consider removing the Council as a party in the future. The Court also ordered that the Cook Shire Council, the State of Queensland, and the applicants must attend a case management hearing to discuss the appropriate course of action in light of the non-compliance and to make submissions about any application for costs against the Cook Shire Council and/or its legal representatives personally.

The final orders of the Court included vacating certain orders, amending deadlines, and setting a case management hearing to discuss the non-compliance and potential costs.