FED:Howard welcomes native title case clarifying mining leases
SYDNEY, August 8 AAP - A High Court decision on native title was welcomed today byPrime Minister John Howard, who said it clarified mining leases.
Mr Howard told reporters he had not yet read the judgment but had absorbed press reportson the High Court decision in the Miriuwung-Gajerrong case which ruled that native titledid not apply to mineral or petroleum rights.
"I'm pleased that it appears to have clarified the situation regarding mine leases... it's of particular importance to Western Australia," the prime minister said.
"On the face of it, I'm encouraged by what has been decided but I haven't read thejudgment yet and I don't regard what I just said as a conclusive view on what the HighCourt has done.
"Obviously, the High Court is the final court. It's taken a decision, I'll read it.
"But, on first blush, it looks like it's provided a degree of stability and predictability,particularly in the area of mining leases."
The decision by a majority of the full bench of the High Court also found native titlecould be extinguished by certain types of land dealings.
However, the court said none of the principal parties in the case had been wholly successfuland some of the issues would have to be further considered by the full bench of the FederalCourt.
The Miriuwung-Gajerrong people of the east Kimberley had lodged a native title claimover 7,900 square kilometres of land and water in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
AAP as/arb/las/sb
KEYWORD: MIRIUWUNG HOWARD
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