On 21 February 2019, the Commonwealth government introduced the Native Title Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 (Cth) (Bill) to amend (amongst other legislation) the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (NTA). The proposed amendments to the NTA are the most substantive since the ‘Wik’ amendments in 1998. To assist proponents in understanding the potential impact of the Bill, we have prepared a table that sets out proposed key amendments with the likely implications for existing and future development. Read more

On 13 March 2019, the High Court handed down its first decision on native title compensation in ‘Timber Creek’ [2019] HCA 7 (Timber Creek).The High Court’s decision is a measured reflection of the need for Australian law to evolve in a manner that acknowledges, recognises and accommodates the diversity and individuality of native title in Australia. The majority judgment sensibly navigates the difficult task of applying common law legal concepts, such as compensation, freehold value, economic loss and solatium, in the context of traditional rights and interests, and connection to country. Read more

In March 2019, the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs released a discussion paper outlining proposals for reforming the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA). Anyone with WA land or project development interests should follow these reforms, which we discuss in this post. Read more