8legs: Federal court of australia

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Queensland government backflips on plan to contest all native title claims

Queensland government backtracked on a policy to contest all native title claims in court amid federal court scrutiny.
The reversal followed a federal court order demanding an explanation for stopping negotiations with Cape York traditional owners.
Natural Resources Minister Dale Last signaled that the state may still contest some claims, but not as a blanket policy.
Most native title claims are settled by consent rather than contested in court, making blanket contests costly and slow.
The court ordered an explanation after the acting director general’s affidavit revealed the February 17 instruction.
Cape York traditional owners were central to the scrutiny of negotiations and the policy shift.
Solicitor general Gim Del Villar noted the state would consider evidence and circumstances before deciding to take matters to trial.
The court indicated that the policy change had created uncertainty about Queensland’s native title process.
The Guardian reported that the matter remains fluid, with ongoing court management hearings.

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