The Australian Federal Native Title Act 1993 marked a revolution in the recognition of the rights of Australia’s Indigenous peoples. The legislation established a means whereby Indigenous Australians could make application to the Federal Court for the recognition of their rights to traditional country. The fiction that Australia was terra nullius (or ‘void country’), which had prevailed since European settlement, was overturned. The ensuing legal cases, mediated resolutions and agreements made within the terms of the Native Title Act quickly proved the importance of having sound, scholarly and well-researched anthropology conducted with claimants so that the fundamentals of the claims made could be properly established. In turn, this meant that those opposing the claims would also benefit from anthropological expertise. This is a book about the practical aspects of anthropology that are relevant to the exercise of the discipline within the native title context. The engagement of anthropology with legal process, determined by federal legislation, raises significant practical as well as ethical issues that are explored in this book. It will be of interest to all involved in the native title process, including anthropologists and other researchers, lawyers and judges, as well as those who manage the claim process. It will also be relevant to all who seek to explore the role of anthropology in relation to Indigenous rights, legislation and the state.

Australian Native Title Law Second Edition annotates the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) and analyses the common law principles applicable to native title. It explains the essential concepts and principles which underpin it, including relevant principles of constitutional, property and discrimination law, referencing a range of relevant authority and materials. The First Edition published in 2004 and was comprised of introductory explanatory chapters followed by a detailed annotation to the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) and extensive reforms made in 1998 in light of the Wik decision. Since that time, some 27 amending Acts have come into force. The much-awaited Second Edition builds upon these foundations by bringing the Act up-to-date and providing detailed commentary on the more important of these amendments, in particular the Native Title Amendment Act 2007, the Native Title Amendment (Technical Amendments) Act 2007 and the Native Title Amendment Act 2009. The book now draws upon over 1,000 cases, including leading recent High Court decisions such as Queensland v Congoo (2015), Western Australia v Brown (2014), Karpany v Dietman (2013), and Akiba v Commonwealth (2013). Significant contributions from leading practitioners in the field are included, with a new section addressing proof of native title. Both new and experienced practitioners, decisions-makers, academics and students alike will find Australian Native Title Law Second Edition of invaluable assistance.

This book provides a strikingly original explanation of the Britain's treatment of sovereignty and native title in its Australasian colonies.

Law's metaphysics -- When whiteman came in -- Mission days -- A land and sea claim -- The ethnographic archive -- In the court -- Legal submissions and crosscurrents -- How judgments are made -- Society and sea on appeal -- Recognitions's paradox

Cover image taken at Mangkuna (Corkbark) on Karajarri country in the Kimberley, Western Australia - November 2014. Photography by Edward Tran. © Copyright Kimberley Land Council.This edited collection brings together some of Australia's foremost experts in native title to provide a realistic assessment of the achievements, frustrations and possibilities of native title, two decades since the enactment of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), and after the most significant High Court decision on native title in more than ten years, Akiba v Commonwealth, which confirmed the existence of commercial native title fishing rights. The Indigenous and non-Indigenous authors come from a variety of disciplines and perspectives and include academics and practitioners from the fields of law, economics, anthropology, politics, history and community development. Uniting the book is a concern that native title make a real impact on the economic and social circumstances of Australia's Indigenous communities.The book consists of two parts.Part One is entitled Legal Dynamics in the Development of Native Title. It examines the way in which Australian law has defined and often constrained the scope of this newly-recognised property right. There is a particular focus on legal issues with a direct bearing on the economic potential of native title, such as alienability and the right to trade resources and the challenges posed for anti-discrimination law.Part Two is entitled Native Title as a Vehicle for Indigenous Empowerment. Authors provide an overview of the contribution made so far by native title and the prospects for future empowerment. Detailed mapping and analysis provides readers with a geographic orientation and a sense of realism about the economic potential of the native title estate, in comparison with achievements under a parallel statutory land rights regime. This part also explains some of the challenges Indigenous groups face in areas such as governance, land reform and internal politicking, as they operate in the shadow of the law, seeking to utilise native title for greater empowerment._______________________________________________________ Click here to view and listen to the Indigenous Empowerment panel discussion which includes video and audio webcasts, photos and a review essay.

Based on author's thesis (doctoral - University of Sydney, Department of Anthropology, 2013) issued under title: Forces of destruction, acts of creation: aboriginality, identity and native title, on the far west coast of South Australia.