Walker on behalf of The Noonukul of Minjerrabah v State of Queensland - [2007] FCA 967 - FCA 2007 case summary — Zoe

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Walker on behalf of The Noonukul of Minjerrabah v State of Queensland

[2007] FCA 967

Federal Court of Australia|2007-06-29|Before: Collier J

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Court

Federal Court of Australia

Decision date

2007-06-29

Before

Collier J

Source

Original judgment source is linked above.

Judgment (21 paragraphs)

[1]

REASONS FOR JUDGMENT 1 I have before me a notice of motion filed by Mr Ian Delaney on 13 February 2007. Mr Delaney's notice of motion sought the following orders:

That Ian Delaney be joined as a party to the Native Title Determination Application - QUD355/2006 Noonukul of Minjerrabah.
That the Native Title Determination Application - QUD355/2006 Noonukul of Minjerrabah be struck out.
Such further or other orders as the Court considers fit. 2 Mr Delaney is the Registered Native Title Applicant for the Quandamooka Peoples #1, QUD6010/1998 and Quandamooka Peoples #2, QUD6024/1999 Native Title Determination Applications (Quandamooka Claims). These claims were accepted for registration on 11 October 2000 and 14 June 2000 respectively.

[2]

BACKGROUND 3 The Native Title Determination Application - QUD355/2006 Noonukul of Minjerrabah (Noonukul Application) was filed 8 September 2006. However, it substantially overlaps the Quandamooka Claims and was rejected for registration by a delegate of the Native Title Registrar on 9 January 2007. 4 Queensland South Native Titles Services ("QSNTS") for Mr Delaney submits that prosecution of Mr Delaney's notice of motion relates to concerns by the Quandamooka claim group that the Noonukul Application would impede progress towards a consent determination, due to the policy of the State of Queensland not to engage in mediation when overlapping claims exist. 5 This matter was listed for directions before me on 9 March 2007. At that hearing there was no appearance by the applicant, however I granted leave to Mr Robert Corowa to appear for the applicant. I made the following orders:

[3]

NON-APPEARANCE OF THE APPLICANT 6 At the hearing of the notice of motion on 28 May 2007, there was no appearance in Court by Mr Walker, the applicant in the substantive proceedings (to whom I shall refer in this judgment as "the applicant"). Further, it is apparent from the file that the applicant did not comply with my orders of 9 March 2007 in relation to the filing of material for the hearing of this notice of motion. I note that QSNTS filed an outline of submissions on 13 April 2007. 7 QSNTS has filed two affidavits of service in this matter, specifically: · an affidavit of Mr Graeme Smith, licensed commercial agent, filed 9 March 2007 wherein he deposes that at 4.45 pm on Tuesday 20 February 2007 he served the applicant with Mr Delaney's notice of motion filed 13 February 2007 and supporting affidavits by leaving a copy for him at the applicant's residence at 84 Winstanley Street, Carina · an affidavit of Ms Paulette Dupuy, senior legal officer with QSNTS, wherein she deposes that on 23 February 2007 she caused to be sent by registered post letters to: o the applicant, advising him of the existence of the notice of motion, and o Mr Corowa, advising him of the existence of the notice of motion in his capacity as the person responsible for having filed the application on the applicant's behalf and asking that he draw the notice of motion to the applicant's attention. 8 The Court has not been made aware of any reason for the applicant's non-appearance at the hearing on 28 May 2007. I am satisfied that Mr Corowa, who filed the application on the applicant's behalf and appeared for the applicant on the last occasion this matter came before the Court, was aware of the hearing of 28 May 2007, and that all attempts were made to ensure that the applicant was made aware of the hearing. 9 In the circumstances of the applicant's non-appearance in Court, I indicated to QSNTS and the State of Queensland that I would consider the matter on the material filed, and on the basis of any further oral submissions that they wished to make. 10 Mr Hardie, principal legal officer of QSNTS, sought to rely on his written submissions. 11 Mr Prowse for the State of Queensland indicated that the State broadly supported the submissions of QSNTS. Mr Prowse also handed up documentation including a map produced by the Department of Natural Resources and Water showing the boundaries of the Noonukul Application as interpreted by the National Native Title Tribunal (Tribunal), and the boundaries of the Noonukul Application as interpreted by the State. Mr Prowse submitted that the map shows that the Tribunal and Department of Natural Resources and Water identified a substantially different interpretation of the boundaries, illustrating the fact that the description of the claim area in the Noonukul Application itself is so defective or so uncertain as to be impossible of proper definition. 12 Mr Prowse further submitted that the Noonukul Application overlaps the Quandamooka Claims, the Turrbal claim, the Jagara claim and the Kabi Kabi #2 claim, and in some respects has the appearance of being mischievous.

[5]

16 Unlike O 20 r 2 which applies generally, s 84C is clearly limited to native title determination applications under the Act. The language of s 84C and O 20 r 2 is dissimilar in that s 84C refers to "strike-out" of the application, whereas O 20 r 2 deals with permanent stay or summary dismissal of the proceedings. Further, the issues of which proof is required under each provision differs in that s 84C applies where an application does not comply with ss 61, 61A or 62 whereas O 20 r 2 is only enlivened if no reasonable cause of action is disclosed, the proceeding is frivolous or vexatious, or the proceeding is an abuse of process. To that extent, s 84C is concerned with matters of form and authority rather than the merit of any native title determination (Branson J in Bodney v Bropho (2004) 140 FCR 77 at 85). 17 Notwithstanding these distinctions, the Courts have tended to equate the consequences of strike-out under s 84C with those of summary dismissal under O 20 r 2. As observed by Lander J (North and Dowsett JJ agreeing) in Williams v Grant [2004] FCAFC 178: [48] Section 84C only applies to applications which do not comply with ss 61, 61A and 62. However, an application under s 84C, if successful, has the very serious consequence that the native title application is struck out. Such a result is akin to a court proceeding being summarily dismissed, or at least dismissed before any hearing on the merits. No court proceeding is summarily dismissed except in a very clear case: Dey v Victorian Railways Commissioner (1949) 78 CLR 62 at 91 per Dixon J; General Steel Industries Inc v Commissioner for Railways (1964) 112 CLR 125 at 129. [49] Applications for native title are brought by representatives of the native title claim group. The dismissal of an application because, for example, the applicant has not been authorised means the dismissal of the native title claim group's claim. The repercussions, therefore, are far reaching. I see no reason why an application to strike out a native title claim under s 84C should be treated any differently to any other application to dismiss a claim summarily. The power should be exercised sparingly and with caution, and only when the Court is satisfied that the moving party has made out a clear case that the applicant has not complied with the relevant section and cannot, by amending the application, comply. Section 84C assumes that a party might respond to a strike out application by amending the claim to comply with the requirements of the Act. A claim can be amended without obtaining leave. 18 The cautious approach of the Court as described in Williams [2004] FCAFC 178 was more recently reaffirmed by the Full Court in Bodney 140 FCR at 89, where Stone J (with whom Spender and Branson JJ agreed on this point) said that notwithstanding the operation of s 84C in the context of native title applications, the Court approaches strike-out applications under this section in the same way as applications under O 20 r 2 Federal Court Rules (see also Landers v State of South Australia (2003) 128 FCR 495 at 497, Thomas v State of South Australia [2004] FCA 951 at [2]-[3], McKenzie v State Government of South Australia (2005) 214 ALR 214 at 221). 19 In considering Mr Delaney's notice of motion, I propose to first consider the submissions in relation to s 84C, and then if necessary consider the case with respect to summary dismissal under O 20 r 2.

[7]

NON-COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 61(4): IDENTIFICATION OF THE CLAIM GROUP 22 Section 61 of the Act provides for applications which may be made under Pt 3 Div 1 of the Act to the Federal Court, and the persons who may make each of those applications. More specifically, s 61(4) provides as follows: A native title determination application, or a compensation application, that persons in a native title claim group or a compensation claim group authorise the applicant to make must: (a) name the persons; or (b) otherwise describe the persons sufficiently clearly so that it can be ascertained whether any particular person is one of those persons. 23 As QSNTS submits, the persons in the native title claim group in the Noonukul Application are not individually named. Consequently, the issue for this Court is whether the alternative requirement in s 61(4)(b) has been met. 24 Schedule A of Form 1 under the Native Title Act "Native Title Determination Application Claimant Application" provides for the listing of persons in the relevant native title claim group or a description of such persons sufficiently clearly so that it can be ascertained whether any particular person is one of those persons. The applicant states in Attachment A of the Noonukul Application as follows: "1. The native title claim groups is made up of those members of the Noonukul of Minjerribah who, according to traditional laws acknowledged and customs observed: a) connect with the area described in schedule B ("the area claimed") through spiritual, religious, physical, and historical associations; biological, classificatory or adoptive descent through the four grandparental lines of father's father, mother's father, father's mother and mother's mother; and; processes of succession b) have a communal native title in the application area, from which rights and interests derive. 2. The claimants, by definition, are comprised of all the persons descended from the apical ancestors identified in paragraph 5. Social Organisation 3. Noonukul is comprised of members of the family bloodline groups to the island of Minjerribah and the waters of Quandamooka. 4. The Noonukul who make up the Native Title Claim Group are the identified descendants of Oodgeroo the Late Kath Walker, the mother to the applicant."

[11]

31 QSNTS submits that if the claim group has not been properly identified in accordance with s 61(4), then it is not possible for the claim to be authorised in a manner which complies with ss 61, 62 and s 251B, even if the requirements in s 251B are met. QSNTS cites Hillig as administrator of the Wormi Local Aboriginal Council v Minister for Lands for the State of New South Wales (No 2) [2006] FCA 115 at [70] in support. 32 QSNTS further submits that in any event, the Noonukul Application does not meet the authorisation requirements of s 61(1) and s 251B. Indeed, QSNTS submit that there is simply no evidence presented that any type of authorisation process was followed to authorise the making of the Noonukul Application. 33 Part A s 2 of the Form 1 of the Native Title Act "Native Title Determination Application Claimant Application" provides for details about authorisation. The applicant asserts in that part of the Noonukul Application that: This Application has been authorised pursuant to s 251B(1)(a) of the Native Title Act 1993 … The Applicant has been authorised to make this application for a claim over the determination area through Traditional Custom and Lore by the authority of the late Oodgeroo the late Kath Walker and carry out the business pertaining to it. 34 The importance of the authorisation of a claim was emphasised by Tamberlin J in Booth v State of Queensland [2003] FCA 418 at [10]-[11] where his Honour said in relation to that case: The applicant must be authorised by all members of the Native Title Claim Group. In the present application the persons who compromise the Native Title Claim Group are not identified either by name or by reference or by any sufficient description. There is also a lack of evidence that the Native Title Claim Group, which is alleged to have authorised Mr Booth, had any applicable traditional decision-making process or that any particular process was followed. There is no evidence that the Native Title Claim Group agreed to and adopted some other decision-making process in relation to authorising the applicant to make the application. Nor is there any evidence that the process has been recognised or that any process has been followed.

[12]

35 These comments are equally applicable in the case before me. Other than an assertion by the applicant that the late Oodgeroo, the late Kath Walker, has authorised the applicant to make the application, and that such authorisation is through "Traditional Custom and Lore", there is no evidence that the applicant is authorised by the claim group, even to the extent that the claim group in this case can be identified. No details of the decisions that the claim group made are provided. There is no evidence of the process, or that any particular process was recognised or followed by the claim group (cf Booth [2003] FCA 418 at [11]). 36 I again note the affidavit of Ms Waters which states that the Oodgeroo descendants are part of the Gonzales family group, one of 11 family groups forming the Quandamooka claim group. QSNTS has submitted that there is no suggestion that the smaller family group, the Oodgeroo group, could establish particular rights and interests which the larger Quandamooka Claim group cannot. Further, I note the affidavits filed by Jonathon Patrick Malone sworn 23 January 2007 and Edward Ruska sworn 7 February 2007, who depose that they are members of the Noonukul of Minjerrabah and that they did not authorise the making of the Noonukul Application and were not advised of or involved in the process of authorisation. 37 Accordingly in my view, and in circumstances where, despite the applicant's non-appearance in Court, the applicant has had an opportunity to put forward evidence in relation to this and other issues, I am satisfied that not only is there a lack of clarity as to the persons who make up the claim group, but that in any event the applicant was not authorised to make the application on behalf of such people of the claim group as have been identified. It therefore appears that the applicant is not authorised to make an application on behalf of all of the claim group. If the applicant represents a family subgroup which claims to hold native title, it is not the group which holds the common or group rights or interests within s 61 of the Act (Risk v National Native Title Tribunal [2000] FCA 1589 at [60], Dieri 127 FCR at 377, Hillig [2006] FCA 1115 at [60]). 38 It follows therefore that the applicant has not complied with s 61(1) of the Act.

[13]

NON-COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 62 OF THE ACT 39 QSNTS has submitted that the Noonukul Application does not comply with s 62(1)(a) of the Act. Mr Prowse for the State has further submitted that the Noonukul Application does not conform to the requirements of s 62(2)(a) (as required by s 62(1)(b)). 40 The terms of s 62(1)(a) and (b) require mandatory compliance. Relevantly, s 62 of the Act provides: (1) A claimant application (see section 253): (a) must be accompanied by an affidavit sworn by the applicant: (i) that the applicant believes that the native title rights and interests claimed by the native title claim group have not been extinguished in relation to any part of the area covered by the application; and (ii) that the applicant believes that none of the area covered by the application is also covered by an entry in the National Native Title Register; and (iii) that the applicant believes that all of the statements made in the application are true; and (iv) that the applicant is authorised by all the persons in the native title claim group to make the application and to deal with matters arising in relation to it; and Note: Section 251B states what it means for the applicant to be authorisedby all the persons in the native title claim group. (v) stating the basis on which the applicant is authorised as mentioned in subparagraph (iv); and (b) must contain the details specified in subsection (2); and (c) may contain details of: ………….. (2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), the details required are as follows: (a) information, whether by physical description or otherwise, that enables the boundaries of: (i) the area covered by the application; and (ii) any areas within those boundaries that are not covered by the application; to be identified; (b) a map showing the boundaries of the area mentioned in subparagraph (a)(i); ................ 41 I note that: · the requirements of s 62(1)(a)(i) to (iv) have not been met in the applicant's affidavit · there are no statements in the affidavit of the applicant that he holds the beliefs required by ss 62 (1)(a)(i) to (iii) · there are no statements in the affidavit of the applicant that he is authorised by all the persons in the native title claim group to make the Application and to deal with matters arising in relation to it, as required by s 62(1)(a)(iv). 42 Further, there is concern about the description of the claim area. As was submitted by Mr Prowse for the State, the Department of Natural Resources and Water and the Tribunal, using the description of the boundaries of the application as provided by the applicant, reach different conclusions as to the geographical areas purported to be included in the claim. Mr Prowse has provided a copy of these to the Court by way of illustrating the fact that the description of the claim area in the application itself is so defective or so uncertain as to be impossible of proper definition. 43 In my view the applicant has failed to comply with s 62 of the Act.

Walker on behalf of The Noonukul of Minjerrabah v State of Queensland

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