EXTINGUISHMENT OF NATIVE TITLE Flashcards
What are the two restrictions on the Government’s power of extinguishment?
- Racial Discrimination Act (RDA) 1975
2. Native Title Act (NTA) 1993 (Cth)
What is Extinguishment?
Extinguishment is the termination or permanent ending of native title. It was held in Mabo that Native Title is liable to extinguishment or impairment by government action. This was an incident of Crown Sovereignty.
Which section of the RDA is relevant?
s10: which indicates that any attempt by a State to extinguish or impair NT is subject to this section which requires equality before the law.
At Common law, what is the test whether government action extinguished Native Title?
Whether there was a “clear and plain intent” - Mabo and Wik v Queensland.
What is the second test at common law for government action to extinguish Native Title?
As in WA v Ward, it is the “inconsistency of incidents test”. This involves an objective inquiry into identifying and comparing the two sets of rights, and whether the rights granted to the third party are “necessarily inconsistent” with the continued existence of NT.
What is statutory extinguishment?
This is where legislation can extinguish NT.
If a legislation regulates the enjoyment of NT rights, is it extinguishing NT?
No: Yanner v Eaton
What are the tests for Statutory extinguishment?
It is the same two tests at Common law:
- From Mabo and Wik: Clear and plain intent to extinguish
- From WA v Ward: whether the legislation is necessarily inconsistent with NT rights.
What is non-statutory extinguishment?
Native title can also be extinguished by non-statutory executive action such as inconsistency with crown grants made under legislation.
What are the tests for extinguishemnt for non-statutory extinguishment?
Same as the other two:
1. Mabo and Wik: Clear and plain intent to extinguish
2. WA v Ward: Necessarily inconsistent.
In this case, where there is non-statutory extinguishment, Native Title is extinguished to the extent of inconsistency.
Non-statutory extinguishment
Will a grant of fee simple extinguish Native Title?
Yes: Fejo v Northern Territory
Non-statutory extinguishment
Will a grant of exclusive possession leases extinguish NT?
Yes: Wilson v Anderson
Non statutory extinguishment
Will a grant of non-exclusive possession extinguish NT?
Not necessarily: Wik v Queensland.
These will extinguish only exclusive Native Title Rights. So the right to control access to land will be extinguished.
In the case of mining leases, these also do not necessarily extinguish, however in the case of inconsistency with NT rights, the NT rights give way.
Is Revival possible at Common law?
No, once Native Title has been extinguished, it cannot be revived: Fejo and Mabo.
Certain exceptions in s47A and s47B of NTA.
Nor is suspension of Native Title rights possible at common law: WA v Ward
What does the NTA do with extinguishment?
It validates ‘past acts’ and ‘intermediate period acts’ which may have been invalid due to NT.
Validation of those acts could result in complete extinguishment of NT or in some cases merely suspended for the term of the grant and then revived
What is the time period for the “deemed extinguishment: confirmation of extinguishment” provisions?
From 1975 - 1996.
Pre 1975, before the RDA, Native Title was completely extinguished.
What are PEPAs?
These are Previous Exclusive Possession Acts.
All acts coming within this definition, valid or validated, and if taking place before 23 December, permanently extinguish Native Title.
What sections of the NTA define PEPA?
s23 A, s23 B and s23 C.
What is a Previous Non-Exclusive Possession Act?
These are within the definition of NTA, if valid or validated, and if taking place on or before 23 dec 1996, extinguish NT ONLY TO THE EXTENT of the inconsistency.
The ‘extent’ of inconsistency interpretation can be brought in from common law extinguishment in WA v Ward