Presenters

Stephen Wright SC, Francis Burt Chambers
Stephen Wright is an experienced barrister who specialises in native title, taxation, trusts and mining law. Stephen joined the Western Australian Bar in 2010 and was appointed senior counsel in 2017. Prior to joining the Bar he was a Judge’s associate, a commercial litigator at Malleson, worked for 11 years at the Western Australian State Solicitor’s Office, and had his own private practice. Stephen has a wealth of experience in native title related issues dating back to 1996. He is a leading native title barrister, having been counsel in many native title claims and in ‘future act’ litigation and arbitrations at all levels, and more recently in compensation claims. He represents native title parties and representative bodies, government and mining interests. He is also an experienced and effective negotiator having provided advice and representation to various parties involved in numerous ILUA and other native title agreement negotiations, including in relation to the establishment of benefits management (trust) structures and taxation issues. Stephen also provides stamp duty and other tax advice (including income tax and GST) and appears in tax cases in the Court of Appeal (WA), Federal Court, and State and Commonwealth Tribunals.


Daniela Tonon, Director, Daniela Tonon Legal
Daniela Tonon Legal was established in July 2017. Daniela has over 25 years’ experience providing strategic advice to the resources, energy, infrastructure and government sectors in relation to stakeholder engagement & communication, land access & statutory approvals, native title & Aboriginal heritage, water regulation & policy, compliance & due diligence and corporate governance. Daniela is recognised in the 2025 Edition of The Best Lawyers™ in Australia for Native Title Law, Mining Law, Natural Resources Law and Water Law and was awarded Lawyer of the Year for Water Law in Perth. Daniela was also recommended in 2022 Doyle’s Guide Leading Native Title Lawyers (Project Proponent Representation) – Australia. Over the past 25 years, Daniela has thoroughly enjoyed unique opportunities to engage with project proponents and Traditional Owners to assist them to foster effective relationships. Daniela is currently involved in negotiating and drafting a number of agreements for projects of State significance.