FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Button Jones v Northern Territory of Australia [2011] FCA 573

THE COURT NOTES THAT:

A.    On 22 July 2010 the Applicant made a native title determination application over the land and waters within the bounds of the Newry Pastoral Lease (Perpetual Pastoral Lease 1114).

B.    The Applicant and the Respondents to this proceeding have reached agreement as to the terms of a proposed determination of native title in relation to the land and waters covered by the Application.

C.    Pursuant to ss 87(1)(a)(i) and 87(1)(b) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (the Act) the Parties hereby file with this Court their agreement in writing (the proposed Determination). The external boundaries of the area subject to the proposed Determination are described in Schedule A of the proposed Determination and depicted on the map comprising Schedule B of the Determination (the proposed Determination Area).

D.    Pursuant to ss 87 and 94A of the Act the terms of the Parties’ agreement involve the making of consent orders for a determination that native title exists in relation to the Determination Area as provided by the proposed Determination.

E.    The Parties acknowledge that the effect of making the proposed Determination is that the members of the native title claim group, in accordance with the traditional laws acknowledged and the traditional customs observed by them, be recognised as the native title holders for the Determination Area as provided by the proposed Determination.

F.    The Parties have requested that the Court hear and determine this proceeding in accordance with their agreement.

THE COURT BEING SATISFIED that a determination of native title in the terms of the Determination in respect of the proceeding would be within the power of the Court and, it appearing to the Court appropriate to do so, pursuant to s 87 of the Act and by the consent of the parties:

THE COURT ORDERS THAT:

1.    There be a determination of native title in terms of the Determination set out below.

2.    The native title is not to be held on trust.

3.    An Aboriginal corporation whose name is to be provided within 12 months, or such further time as the Court may allow, is:

(a)    to be the prescribed body corporate for the purposes of s 57(2) of the Act;

(b)    to perform the functions outlined in s 57(3) of the Act after becoming a registered native title body corporate.

4.    There be no order as to costs.

5.    The parties have liberty to apply for the following purposes:

(a)    to establish the precise location and boundaries of the public works and adjacent land and waters identified in relation to any part or parts of the Determination Area referred to in Schedule D of this Determination;

(b)    to establish the precise location of the boundaries of land on which the improvements referred to in Schedule D of this Determination have been constructed and any adjacent land or waters the exclusive use of which is necessary for the enjoyment of the improvements; and

(c)    to establish whether any of the improvements referred to at Schedule D of this determination have been constructed unlawfully.

THE COURT DETERMINES THAT:

The Determination Area

1.    The Determination Area is the land and waters described in Schedule A and depicted on the map comprising Schedule B.

2.    Native title exists in those parts of the Determination Area identified in Schedule C.

3.    Native title does not exist in those parts of the Determination Area identified in Schedule D.

The native title holders

4.    The land and waters of the Determination Area comprise the whole or part of four estates, which are held respectively by the members of the following four estate groups:

(a)    the Miriuwung-Damberal group;

(b)    the Miriuwung-Nyawam Nyawam group;

(c)    the Miriuwung-Gudim group;

(d)    the Ngarinyman-Nyiwanawam group.

These persons, together with the Aboriginal people referred to in clause 6 hereof, are collectively referred to as ‘the native title holders’.

5.    Each of the estate groups referred to in clause 4 hereof includes persons who are members of the group by reason of:

(a)    patrilineal descent;

(b)    his or her mother, father’s mother or mother’s mother being or having been a member of the group by reason of patrilineal descent;

(c)    having been adopted or incorporated into the descent relationships referred to in (a) or (b) hereof.

These persons are collectively referred to as ‘the estate group members’.

6.    In accordance with traditional laws and customs, other Aboriginal people have rights and interests in respect of the Determination Area, subject to the rights and interests of the estate group members, such people being:

(a)    members of estate groups from neighbouring estates;

(b)    spouses of the estate group members.

7.    Each of the estate groups referred to in clause 6(a) hereof includes persons who are members of the group by reason of:

(a)    patrilineal descent;

(b)    his or her mother, father’s mother or mother’s mother being or having been a member of the group by reason of patrilineal descent;

(c)    having been adopted or incorporated into the descent relationships referred to in (a) or (b) hereof.

The native title rights and interests

8.    The native title rights and interests of the estate group members that are possessed under their traditional laws and customs are, subject to the traditional laws and customs that govern the exercise of the native title rights and interests by the native title holders, non-exclusive rights to use and enjoy those parts of the Determination Area identified in Schedule C being:

(a)    the right to travel over, to move about and to have access to those areas;

(b)    the right to hunt and to fish on the land and waters of those areas;

(c)    the right to gather and to use the natural resources of those areas such as food, medicinal plants, wild tobacco, timber, stone and resin;

(d)    the right to take and to use the natural water on those areas, and for the sake of clarity and the avoidance of doubt this right does not include the right to take or use water captured by the holders of Perpetual Pastoral Lease 1114;

(e)    the right to live, to camp and for that purpose to erect shelters and other structures on those areas;

(f)    the right to light fires on those areas for domestic purposes, but not for the clearance of vegetation;

(g)    the right to conduct and to participate in the following activities on those areas:

(i)    cultural activities;

(ii)    cultural practices relating to birth and death, including burial rites;

(iii)    ceremonies;

(iv)    meetings;

(v)    teaching the physical and spiritual attributes of sites and places on those areas that are of significance under their traditional laws and customs;

(h)    the right to maintain and to protect sites and places on those areas that are of significance under their traditional laws and customs;

(i)    the right to share or exchange subsistence and other traditional resources obtained on or from those areas;

(j)    the right to be accompanied on to those areas by persons who, though not native title holders, are:

(i)    people required by traditional law and custom for the performance of ceremonies or cultural activities on the areas;

(ii)    people who have rights in relation to the areas according to the traditional laws and customs acknowledged by the estate group members;

(iii)    people required by the estate group members to assist in, observe, or record traditional activities on the areas;

(k)    the right to conduct activities necessary to give effect to the rights referred to in (a) to (j) hereof.

These native title rights and interests do not confer on the estate group members possession, occupation, use and enjoyment of the Determination Area, to the exclusion of all others.

9.    The native title rights and interests of the native title holders referred to in clause 6 hereof that are possessed under their traditional laws and customs are, subject to the traditional laws and customs that govern the exercise of the native title rights and interests by the native title holders, non-exclusive rights to use and enjoy those parts of the Determination Area identified in Schedule C being:

(a)    the right to travel over, to move about and to have access to those areas;

(b)    the right to hunt and to fish on the land and waters of those areas;

(c)    the right to gather and to use the natural resources of those areas such as food, medicinal plants, wild tobacco, timber, stone and resin;

(d)    the right to take and to use the natural water on those areas, and for the sake of clarity and the avoidance of doubt this right does not include the right to take or use water captured by the holders of Perpetual Pastoral Lease 1114;

(e)    the right to camp on those areas;

(f)    the right to light fires on those areas for domestic purposes, but not for the clearance of vegetation;

(g)    the right to conduct activities necessary to give effect to the rights referred to in (a) to (f) hereof.

These native title rights and interests do not confer on the native title holders referred to in clause 6 hereof possession, occupation, use and enjoyment of the Determination Area, to the exclusion of all others.

Other interests in the Determination Area

10.    The nature and extent of other interests in relation to the Determination Area are the interests, created by the Crown or otherwise, as follows:

(a)    in relation to NT portions 2675 and 4003, the interests of the Baines River Cattle Company Pty Ltd under Perpetual Pastoral Lease 1114;

(b)    in relation to NT portion 4003, valid rights of use for the passage of travelling stock;

(c)    the rights and interests of Telstra Corporation Limited:

(i)    as the owner or operator of telecommunications facilities within the Determination Area;

(ii)    created pursuant to the Post and Telegraph Act 1901 (Cth), the Telecommunications Act 1975 (Cth), the Australian Telecommunications Corporation Act 1989 (Cth), the Telecommunications Act 1991 (Cth) and the Telecommunications Act 1997 (Cth), including rights:

(A)    to inspect land;

(B)    to install and operate telecommunications facilities; and

(C)    to alter, remove, replace, maintain, repair and ensure the proper functioning of its telecommunications facilities; and

(iii)    for its employees, agents or contractors to access its telecommunications facilities in, and in the vicinity of, the Determination Area, in the performance of their duties;

(iv)    under any licence, access agreement, or easement relating to its telecommunications facilities in the Determination Area; and

(v)    in relation to its freehold estate in NT Portions 3245, 3246 and 3739;

(d)    in relation to NT portions 2675 and 4003, the interest of the Baines River Cattle Company Pty Ltd under registered covenant in gross No. 699276 dated 7 May 2009;

(e)    in relation to NT portions 2675 and 4003, the interest of the Territory Parks and Wildlife Commission under registered covenant in gross No. 699276 dated 7 May 2009;

(f)    in relation to NT portions 2675 and 4003, the rights of Aboriginal persons (whether or not native title holders) pursuant to the reservation in favour of Aboriginal peoples contained in the pastoral lease, identified in ss 38(2) – (6) of the Pastoral Land Act 1992 (NT);

(g)    the rights of Aboriginal persons (whether or not native title holders) by virtue of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989 (NT);

(h)    rights of access by an employee, servant, agent or instrumentality of the Northern Territory or Commonwealth, or other statutory authority as required in the performance of statutory duties;

(i)    the interests of persons to whom valid and validated rights and interests have been:

(i)    granted by the Crown pursuant to statute or otherwise in the exercise of executive power; or

(ii)    otherwise conferred by statute;

(j)    the following interests granted under the Mining Act (NT), depicted in Schedule E:

(i)    Authorisation Title No. 27908 granted on 1 December 2010;

(ii)    Exploration Licence Title No. 27420 granted on 15 April 2010;

(iii)    Exploration Licence Title No. 24729 granted on 27 February 2006;

(iv)    Extractive Mineral Permit Title No. 27074 granted on 1 July 2009;

(v)    Extractive Mineral Permit Title No. 24491 granted on 22 November 2005.

11.    To the extent, if at all, that the exercise of the native title rights and interests referred to in clauses 8 and 9 conflicts with the exercise of the rights and interests of the persons referred to in clause 10, the rights and interests of the persons referred to in clause 10 prevail over, but do not extinguish, the native title rights referred to in clauses 8 and 9.

Other matters

12.    There are no native title rights and interests in:

(a)    minerals (as defined in s 2 of the Minerals (Acquisition) Act (NT));

(b)    petroleum (as defined in s 5 of the Petroleum Act (NT));

(c)    prescribed substances (as defined in s 3 of the Atomic Energy (Control of Materials) Act 1946 (Cth) and/or s 5(1) of the Atomic Energy Act 1953 (Cth)),

in the Determination Area.

13.    The native title rights and interests are subject to and exercisable in accordance with the valid laws of the Northern Territory of Australia and the Commonwealth of Australia.

14.    The native title rights and interests are for the personal or communal needs of the native title holders which are of a domestic or subsistence nature and not for any commercial or business purpose.

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.

Schedule A

Description of Determination Area

The Determination Area comprises the following areas of land:

1.    NT portions 2675 and 4003, being land the subject of Perpetual Pastoral Lease 1114;

2.    NT portion 4003, being land comprising part of Weaner Crossing to Western Australia Stock Route;

3.    NT portions 3245, 3246 and 3739, being land the subject of grants of estates in fee simple to Telstra Corporation Limited.

Schedule B

Map of Determination Area

Schedule C

Areas where native title exists

The areas of land and waters in respect of which the native title rights and interests in clauses 8 and 9 apply are:

1.    NT portions 2675 and 4003, being land the subject of Perpetual Pastoral Lease 1114, except those parts thereof referred to in Schedule D;

2.    NT portion 4003, being land comprising parts of the Weaner Crossing to Western Australia Stock Route, except those parts thereof referred to in Schedule D.

Schedule D

Areas where native title does not exist

Native title rights and interests have been wholly extinguished in the following areas of land and waters:

1.    NT portions 3245, 3246 and 3739 being land the subject of freehold estates granted to Telstra Corporation Limited;

2.    Those parts of the Determination Area covered by public works (including adjacent land or waters as defined in s 251D of the Act) which were constructed, established or situated prior to 23 December 1996 or commenced to be constructed or established on or before that date, including but not limited to:

(a)    public roads, whether rural roads, arterial roads or national highways;

(b)    community and pastoral access roads which are not otherwise public roads;

(c)    gravel pits adjacent to the roads referred to at paragraphs (a) and (b) hereof used to maintain those roads;

(d)    access roads or tracks to the public works referred to in this clause;

(e)    Government bores and associated infrastructure including bores used for the establishment, operation or maintenance of public and other roads;

(f)    river and rain gauges;

(g)    transmission and distribution water pipes and associated infrastructure;

(h)    sewer pipes, sewer pump stations and associated infrastructure; and

(i)    electricity transmission lines, towers, poles and associated infrastructure;

3.    In relation to NT portion 2675 and 4003, those parts of the Determination Area covered by pastoral improvements including but not limited to:

(a)    a homestead, house, sheds and buildings including:

(i)    Building at Cave bore located 21km Northwest of homestead; and

(ii)    Homestead complex;

(b)    bores including:

(i)    3 Mile bore located 5km North of homestead;

(ii)    50/73 bore located 19km North of homestead;

(iii)    Aerodrome bore located 7km Northwest of homestead;

(iv)    Allisons bore located 16km North Northwest of homestead;

(v)    Ballinger bore located 5km Southeast of homestead;

(vi)    Blackfellow Creek bore located 26km East Southeast of homestead;

(vii)    Boundary bore located 11.5km South Southwest of homestead;

(viii)    Campbells bore located 23km North of homestead;

(ix)    Cave bore located 21km Northwest of homestead;

(x)    Checkpoint bore located 29km West Northwest of homestead;

(xi)    Christmas bore located 28km West Southwest of homestead;

(xii)    Donkey Gap bore located 25km West of homestead;

(xiii)    Emu Spring bore located 9km Southeast of homestead;

(xiv)    Fish Creek bore located 22km East of homestead;

(xv)    Glenarra bore located 19km West Southwest of homestead;

(xvi)    Homestead bore located within the homestead complex;

(xvii)    Hungry Billabong Yard bore 20km North Northwest of homestead;

(xviii)    Hungry bore located 15km North of homestead;

(xix)    Hungry South bore located 11.5km North of homestead;

(xx)    Keep bore located 6km South Southeast of homestead;

(xxi)    Landsdowne bore located 20km East Northeast of homestead;

(xxii)    Matilda bore located 21km Southwest of homestead;

(xxiii)    Mill Paddock bore located 1km Southwest of homestead;

(xxiv)    Mitchells bore located 18km Northwest of homestead;

(xxv)    Moriarty bore located 9km West Southwest of homestead;

(xxvi)    Mud Spring bore located 8km Southwest of homestead;

(xxvii)    Old Newry bore located 28km Southwest of homestead;

(xxviii)    Quart Pot bore located 11km Northeast of homestead;

(xxix)    Rest Stop bore located 33km Northeast of homestead;

(xxx)    Scotts bore located 14km Northeast of homestead; and

(xxxi)    Wildcat bore located 27km East of homestead;

(c)    turkey nests including:

(i)    Carters nest located 9km North of homestead;

(ii)    Changeover nest located 24km Northeast of homestead;

(iii)    Conners nest located 10km Northeast of homestead;

(iv)    Landsdowne nest located 20km East Northeast of homestead;

(v)    Mill Paddock nest located 1km Southwest of homestead; and

(vi)    South of Mitchells Bore nest located 20km West Northwest of homestead;

(d)    squatter tanks including:

(i)    Boab Yard tank located 14km Northeast of homestead; and

(ii)    Doherty tank located 18km East of homestead;

(e)    constructed dams and/or constructed watering points including Saddle Creek dam located 24km East Northeast of homestead;

(f)    stockyards including:

(i)    Aerodrome yard located 7km Northwest of homestead;

(ii)    Alligator yard located 22km Northeast of homestead;

(iii)    Boab yard located 14km Northeast of homestead;

(iv)    Glenarra yard located 19km West Southwest of homestead;

(v)    Homestead yard located within homestead complex;

(vi)    Hungry Billabong yard located 20km North Northwest of homestead;

(vii)    Packsaddle yard located 32km Northeast of homestead; and

(xiii)    Saddle Creek yard located 24km East Northeast of homestead;

(g)    highway airstrips and trapyards including:

(i)    Homestead Blacksoil airstrip located within homestead complex; and

(ii)    Homestead main airstrip located 6km West Southwest of homestead.

The areas described by 3(a)-(g) comprise land on which the improvements have been constructed prior to the date of this determination, and any adjacent land or waters the exclusive use of which is necessary for the enjoyment of the improvements.

Schedule E

Map of interests granted under the Mining Act (NT)

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT

Introduction

1    The application the subject of this proceeding is for a determination of native title rights and interests in favour of the native title holders of land and waters within the bounds of the Newry Pastoral Lease (Perpetual Pastoral Lease 1114) in the Northern Territory. It is made under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (Native Title Act).

2    The application is one of six applications being heard and determined together because they are geographically proximate. They are all in the north western section of the Northern Territory, more or less abutting the border with Western Australia, and just to the west of Timber Creek. There has been a determination of native title in relation to the township of Timber Creek. That occurred after an extensive hearing: Griffiths v Northern Territory (2006) 165 FCR 300.

3    One of the objectives of the Native Title Act is the resolution of claims for the recognition of native title by agreement. That has been facilitated by the amendments to s 87 by the Native Title Amendment Act 2009 (Cth). It is very appropriate, therefore, that this application and the related applications have resulted in the parties agreeing to the terms of orders to be made by consent pursuant to s 87 of the Native Title Act.

4    The Newry Pastoral Lease, the area over which the proposed consent determination will be granted is an area of about 2467 km2. It is described in more detail in the map which is Attachment B to the determination. The other areas over which the related determinations are to be made also encompass the areas of particular pastoral leases. They are:

    the application of Raymond Long (on behalf of the Miriuwung Larru Group, the Miriuwung-Mambitj Group, the Miriuwung-Gudim Group, Malngin-Yunurr-Jurrtakal) over the area of the Auvergne Pastoral Lease, covering an area of some 4142 km2;

    the application of Riley Rosewood (on behalf of the Miriuwung Larru Group, the Miriuwung-Mambitj Group, the Miriuwung-Gudim Group, Malngin-Yunurr-Jurrtakal) over the area of the Rosewood Pastoral Lease, covering an area of some 2768 km2;

    the application of Jimmy Paddy (on behalf of the Gajerrong-Pulthuru Group, the Gajerrong-Gurrbijim Group, the Gajerrong-Djarradjarrany Group) over the area of Bullo River Pastoral Lease, covering an area of some 1627 km2;

    the application of Maurice Simon (on behalf of the Gajerrong-Wadanybang Group, the Gajerrong-Gurrbijim Group and the Gajerrong-Djarradjarrany Group) over the area of the Legune Pastoral Lease, covering an area of some 1788 km2;

    the application of Ronnie Carlton (on behalf of the Muriuwung-Nyawam Nyawam Group, the Miriuwung-Bindjen Group, the Gajerrong-Gurrbijim Group, the Gajerrong-Djarrdjarrany Group, the Gajerrong-Djandumi Group, the Gajerrong-Wadanybang Group) over the area of the Spirit Hills Pastoral lease, covering an area of some 3766 km2.

5    The total area encompassed by the six determinations is in excess of 16,500 km2, a very considerable area.

6    The preamble to the Native Title Act recognised, on behalf of all people of Australia, that the Aboriginal peoples of Australia inhabited this country for many many years prior to European settlement, and that the Aboriginal peoples had been progressively dispossessed of their lands. It recorded that, by the overwhelming vote of the people of Australia, the Constitution was amended to enable laws such as the Native Title Act to be passed, to facilitate the recognition by our shared legal system of the native title rights and interests in their land. This is an occasion when the Court is to make orders declaring that the groups of Aboriginal persons set out above were and are the traditional owners of that land. By the Court’s orders, the Australian community collectively recognises that status. It is important to emphasise that the Court’s orders do not grant that status. The Court is declaring that it exists and has always existed at least since European settlement.

7    The Applicant has filed the following documents which have been signed by the parties:

(a)    Minute of Proposed Orders and Determination of Native Title by Consent dated 13 May 2011 (Minute);

(b)    Statement of Joint Agreed Facts of the Parties in Support of the Minute of     Proposed Orders and Determination of Native Title over the Newry Pastoral Lease by Consent dated 13 May 2011; and

(c)    Joint Submissions of the Parties in Support of the Minute of Proposed Orders and Determination of Native Title by Consent.

B.    Section 87 of the Native Title Act

8    Section 87 of the Native Title Act provides that the Court may make a determination of native title by consent over an area covered by a native title application and without holding a hearing where:

(a)    the period specified in the notice given under s 66 of the Native Title Act has ended (s 87(1));

(b)    there is an agreement between the parties on the terms of an order of the Court in relation to the proceedings (s 87(1)(a)(i));

(c)    the terms of the agreement are in writing and are signed by or on behalf of the parties and filed with the Court (s 87 (1)(b));

(d)    the Court is satisfied that an order in, or consistent with, those terms would be within its power (s 87 (1)(c)); and

(e)    the Court considers that it would be appropriate to make the order sought (ss 87(1) and (2)).

9    The focus of the Court in considering whether the orders sought are appropriate under ss 87(1) and (2) is on the making of the agreement by the parties. In Lovett on behalf of the Gunditjmara People v State of Victoria [2007] FCA 474 North J stated at [36]-[37] that:

The Act [Native Title Act] is designed to encourage parties to take responsibility for resolving proceeding without the need for litigation. Section 87 must be construed in this context. The power must be exercised flexibly and with regard to the purpose for which the section is designed.

In this context, when the court is examining the appropriateness of an agreement, it is not required to examine whether the agreement is grounded on a factual basis which would satisfy the Court at a hearing of the application. The primary consideration of the Court is to determine whether there is an agreement and whether it was freely entered into on an informed basis: Nangkiriny v State of Western Australia (2002) 117 FCR 6; [2002] FCA 660, Ward v State of Western Australia [2006] FCA 1848. Insofar as this latter consideration applies to a State party, it will require the Court to be satisfied that the State party has taken steps to satisfy itself that there is a credible basis for an application: Munn v Queensland (2001) 115 FCR 109; [2001] FCA 1229.

10    Therefore, the Court does not need to embark on its own inquiry of the merits of the claim made in the application to be satisfied that the orders sought are supportable and in accordance with the law: Cox on behalf of the Yungngora People v State of Western Australia [2007] FCA 588 at [3] per French J. However, it might consider that evidence for the limited purpose of being satisfied that the State is acting in good faith and rationally: Munn for and on behalf of the Gunggari People v State of Queensland (2001) 115 FCR 109 at [29]-[30] per Emmett J. See also Smith v State of Western Australia (2000) 104 FCR 494 at [38] per Madgwick J:

State governments are necessarily obliged to subject claims for native title over lands and waters owned and occupied by the State and State agencies, to scrutiny just as carefully as the community would expect in relation to claims by non-Aborigines to significant rights over such land.

C.     The application of s 87 to the Application

11    I am satisfied that the requirements of s 87 of the Native Title Act have been satisfied in the present case. In particular:

(a)    the period specified in the notice given under s 66 ended on 2 February 2011 (s 87(1));

(b)    the parties have reached an agreement as to the terms of a determination of native title (s 87(1)(a)(i));

(c)    the parties have recorded their agreement in the Minute (s 87 (1)(b));

(d)    an order in terms of or consistent with the proposed orders would be within the Court’s power because:

(i)    the application is valid and was made in accordance with s 61 of the Act;

(ii)    the application is for a determination of native title in relation to an area for which there is no approved determination of native title (s 13(1)(a));

(iii)    the proposed orders comply with ss 94A and 225 of the Native Title Act (s 87 (1)(c)); and

(e)    it is appropriate that the Court make the orders sought because:

(i)    all parties are legally represented;

(ii)    the Northern Territory as First Respondent obtained searches of land tenure and mining and other relevant interests to determine the extent of “other interests” within the proposed determination area and provided copies of those searches to all parties;

(iii)    the Second Respondent, the holder of Perpetual Pastoral Lease 1114, provided all parties with a list of pastoral improvements on Perpetual Pastoral Lease 1114 which affect native title;

(iv)    the Parties have agreed the nature and extent of interests in relation to the determination area and those interests are described in paragraph 10 and Schedules C, D and E of the Minute (s 225(c));

(v)    there are no other proceedings before the Court relating to native title determination applications that cover any part of the area the subject of the Application which would otherwise require orders to be made under s 67(1) of the Act (ss 87(1) and (2));

(vi)    the Northern Territory as First Respondent has played an active role in the negotiation of the consent determination. In doing so, the Northern Territory, acting on behalf of the community generally, having had regard to the requirements of the Native Title Act and having conducted a thorough assessment process, is satisfied that the determination is justified in all the circumstances.

12    That assessment process has included the production and assessment of extensive material to show the connection of the claim group with the country covered by the Newry Pastoral Lease. The material included that prepared by Andrew McWilliam and Wendy Asche anthropologists engaged on behalf of the Applicant and addressed the Northern Territory’s Minimum Connection Material Requirements for Consent Determinations dated 6 May 2009. It was then considered by the First and Second Respondents. The First Respondent sought advice about that material from another anthropologist Basil Sansom. The First Respondent raised various matters about that material with the Applicant and subsequently addressed those matters. Ultimately, the parties reached agreement that the native title claim group named in Schedule A of the Application and in the Connection Material are the persons who hold the claimed native title rights and interests in the Determination Area. That primary material has been filed. In my view, it clearly justifies the approach taken by the First and Second Respondents.

13    Accordingly, it is appropriate to make the proposed orders which recognise:

(1)    that the claim group comprises a society united in and by their acknowledgement and observance of a body of accepted traditional laws and customs; and

(2)    that the present day body of accepted laws and customs of the society in essence is the same body of laws and customs acknowledged and observed by the ancestors or members of the society adapted to modern circumstances; and

(3)    that the acknowledgment and observance of those laws and customs has continued substantially uninterrupted by each generation since sovereignty, and that the society has continued to exist throughout that period as a body united in and by its acknowledgment and observance of those laws and customs; and

(4)    that the claim group still possesses rights and interests under the traditional laws acknowledged and the traditional customs observed by them, and that those laws and customs give them a connection to the land.

14    There is one aspect of the proposed determination upon which it is necessary to comment. Section 55 of the Native Title Act requires the Court, either at the time of the Determination or as soon as practicable after it, to make such determinations as are required by ss 56 and 57 of the Native Title Act. They respectively relate to holding the native title on trust and with the non-trust functions of prescribed bodies corporate. The proposed determination provides that the native title is not to be held on trust. It provides for an Aboriginal corporation to be nominated to the Court within 12 months or such further time as the Court may allow to be the prescribed body corporate for the purposes of s 57(2) and to perform the functions outlined in s 57(3) of the Native Title Act after becoming a registered native title body corporate. The Court, of course, must act in accordance with s 55, so it anticipates that those steps will be taken following the Determination in a timely manner and certainly within the 12 month period specified. There would need to be persuasive reasons why the Court should allow further time having regard to the terms of s 55.

15    For the reasons given, the Determination is now made.

Associate:

Dated:    31 May 2011