FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Atkinson on behalf of the Gunai/Kurnai People v State of Victoria (No 5) [2010] FCA 1035

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1.      The application by the Sporting Shooters Association to be made a respondent to this proceeding pursuant to s 84 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) is dismissed.

Note:    Settlement and entry of orders is dealt with in Order 36 of the Federal Court Rules. The text of entered orders can be located using Federal Law Search on the Court’s website.

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

1    Before the Court is an application under s 84(5) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) by the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia to be joined as a respondent to this application for a determination of native title.

2    Section 84(5) provides that:

(5)  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.

3    The details of the applicant’s interest are stated in its Form 5 Application dated 24 June 2010. It states as follows:

We are local landowners and are developing a facility that relies on access to the areas under claim. A Native Title Determination will have a significant affect on our activities.

4    On 16 August 2010, the applicant appeared in Court and requested an adjournment of the application to provide additional time for the filing of evidence. That adjournment was granted until today.

5    By letter dated 16 September 2010, the Court was informed that the applicant no longer wished to pursue its application for joinder.

6    Consequently, the application is dismissed.

Associate:

Dated:    30 September 2010