Banjima People v State of Western Australia (No 2) [2015] FCAFC 171

The Full Court dismissed the interlocutory application by the State. The Court held that evidence about non-Aboriginal people (Europeans) not observing traditional customs is irrelevant to the existence and continuity of traditional laws and customs for the purposes of establishing a right of exclusive possession. The Full Court also upheld that exploration licences, as described, did not meet the exclusionary criterion in s 47B(1)(b)(ii) of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) to prevent the continued existence of native title rights to exclusive possession over the UCL parcels.

Parties: First Appellant / First Respondent: Alec Tucker on behalf of the Banjima People; Second Appellant / Respondent: Keith Lethbridge; Third Appellant / Respondent: Steven Smith; Fourth Appellant / Respondent: Charles Smith / Charlie Smith; Fifth Appellant / Respondent: Maitland Parker; Sixth Appellant / Respondent: Timothy Parker; Seventh Appellant / Respondent: Dawn Hicks; Eighth Appellant / Respondent: Archie Tucker; First Respondent / Appellant: State of Western Australia; Second Respondent / Respondent: BHP Billiton Iron Ore (Jimblebar) Pty Ltd; Second Respondent / Respondent: BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd; Second Respondent / Respondent: BHP Minerals Pty Ltd; Second Respondent / Respondent: Itochu Minerals & Energy of Australia Pty Ltd; Second Respondent / Respondent: Mitsui Iron Ore Corporation Pty Ltd; Second Respondent / Respondent: Mitsui Itochu Iron Ore Pty Ltd; Second Respondent / Respondent: Marillana Station; Second Respondent / Respondent: Ben Newland (Sylvania Station); Third Respondent / Respondent: Channar Mining Pty Ltd; Third Respondent / Respondent: CMIEC (Channar) Pty Ltd; Third Respondent / Respondent: Hamersley Exploration Pty Ltd; Third Respondent / Respondent: Hamersley Iron – Yandi Pty Ltd; Third Respondent / Respondent: Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd; Third Respondent / Respondent: Hamersley Resources Ltd; Third Respondent / Respondent: Juna Station Pty Ltd; Third Respondent / Respondent: Mitsui Iron Ore Development Pty Ltd; Third Respondent / Respondent: Mount Bruce Mining Pty Ltd; Third Respondent / Respondent: Pilbara Iron Pty Ltd; Third Respondent / Respondent: Nippon Steel Australia Pty Ltd; Third Respondent / Respondent: North Mining Limited; Third Respondent / Respondent: Robe River Mining Co Pty Ltd; Third Respondent / Respondent: Rocklea Station Pty Ltd; Third Respondent / Respondent: Sumitomo Metal Australia Pty Ltd; Third Respondent / Respondent: Wright Prospecting Pty Ltd; Fourth Respondent / Respondent: Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd; Fourth Respondent / Respondent: Hope Downs Iron Ore Pty Ltd; Fourth Respondent / Respondent: Westraint Resources Pty Ltd; Fourth Respondent / Respondent: Mulga Downs Iron Ore Pty Ltd; Fourth Respondent / Respondent: Mulga Downs Investments Pty Ltd; Fourth Respondent / Respondent: G H Rinehart; Fifth Respondent / Respondent: The Shire of Ashburton; Sixth Respondent / Respondent: Chichester Metals Pty Ltd; Sixth Respondent / Respondent: FMG Pilbara Pty Ltd; Sixth Respondent / Respondent: Fortescue Metals Group Ltd; Sixth Respondent / Respondent: The Pilbara Infrastructure Pty Ltd
Jurisdiction: Australia
Judgment Date: 04 December 2015
Procedural Posture: Appeal / Interlocutory Application on Appeal
Outcome: Interlocutory application dismissed; costs awarded against the State of Western Australia.
Legal Topics: Right to Exclusive Possession, Construction and Operation of Native Title Act 1993 (cth) S 47 B, Relevance of Evidence Concerning Non Aboriginal People in Native Title, Criteria for Exclusion of Land Under Native Title Act S 47 B(1)(b)(ii)

Native Title Practice and Procedure Right to Exclusive Possession Construction and Operation of Native Title Act 1993 (cth) S 47 B Relevance of Evidence Concerning Non Aboriginal People in Native Title Criteria for Exclusion of Land Under Native Title Act S 47 B(1)(b)(ii)

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Parties

Alec Tucker on behalf of the Banjima People

First Appellant / First Respondent

Keith Lethbridge

Second Appellant / Respondent

Steven Smith

Third Appellant / Respondent

Charles Smith / Charlie Smith

Fourth Appellant / Respondent

Maitland Parker

Fifth Appellant / Respondent

Timothy Parker

Sixth Appellant / Respondent

Dawn Hicks

Seventh Appellant / Respondent

Archie Tucker

Eighth Appellant / Respondent

State of Western Australia

First Respondent / Appellant

BHP Billiton Iron Ore (Jimblebar) Pty Ltd