THE IMPACT OF RECENT NATIVE TITLE DEVELOPMENTS UPON PETROLEUM EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION

Abstract

Native Title Act 1993 (Cth)—acknowledged defects-proposed amending legislation—right to negotiate process—offshore and onshore exploration and development distinguished—obligations other than under NTA not to interfere unduly with offshore native title rights—onshore right to negotiate process—criteria—availability of expedited procedure to enable proposed activity to proceed—recent decisions limiting practical availability of expedited procedure—Cox and Western Australia and Stirling Resources NL and others (NNTT, 27 October 1997)—proposed amendments to right to negotiate process—importance of amendments to petroleum explorers and developers.