Sandy on behalf of the Yugara People v State of Queensland (No 3)

The Yugara People, represented by Sandy, contested the State of Queensland over the existence of native title rights over specific land and water in Queensland. The Federal Court of Australia examined the case to determine whether native title was present. The court identified two primary legal questions: whether it had the authority to declare a negative outcome in the absence of an application under section 13 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), and if it should exercise this authority concerning the claim area. The court found that it possessed the power to make such a determination without an application under section 13, and that it should indeed exercise this power. The court concluded that the Yugara People's native title claims over the land and waters were not substantiated. Therefore, the court ruled that native title did not exist in relation to the specified land and waters, and made no order regarding costs.