23CConfirmation of extinguishment of native title by previous exclusive possession acts of Commonwealth

23C  Confirmation of extinguishment of native title by previous exclusive possession acts of Commonwealth Acts other than public works  (1) If an act is a previous exclusive possession act under subsection 23B(2) (including because of subsection 23B(3)) and is attributable to the Commonwealth:  (a) the act extinguishes any native title in relation to the land or waters covered by the freehold estate, Scheduled interest or lease concerned; and  (b) the extinguishment is taken to have happened when the act was done. Public works  (2) If an act is a previous exclusive possession act under subsection 23B(7) (which deals with public works) and is attributable to the Commonwealth:  (a) the act extinguishes native title in relation to the land or waters on which the public work concerned (on completion of its construction or establishment) was or is situated; and  (b) the extinguishment is taken to have happened when the construction or establishment of the public work began. Other extinguishment provisions do not apply  (3) If this section applies to the act, sections 15 and 22B do not apply to the act.