Infiltrate your current concerns in the Native Title arena by attending this impressive conference. Scrutinise the most significant issues including compensation, mediation, settlement implementation and dive into key case law updates. In the afternoon, pivot to cultural heritage and agreement making. This conference brings you many perspectives of Native Title developments including economic projects and traditional connections to the land.

Presenters

Mr. Stephen Wright SC, Barrister, 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.


Mr. Matthew Pudovskis, Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers
Matthew has a broad practice in commercial and public law and particular experience in land access (native title, mining, planning, and environmental law) and administrative law (including merits and judicial review). As counsel, Matthew has appeared in most superior Federal and State Courts, the State Administrative Tribunal, and the National Native Title Tribunal. Matthew’s experience includes: advising and representing native title applicants and respondent parties in relation to native title claims and Indigenous Land Use Agreements; advising prescribed bodies corporate and other types of Aboriginal corporations; representing mining companies in relation to disputes before the Mining Warden acting administratively; advising in relation to land tenure issues; advising and representing clients in relation to prosecutions under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA), the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA), and the Planning and Development Act 2005 (WA); advising clients in relation to judicial review of decisions made under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA) and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth); and, representing clients in relation to a variety of civil disputes in the District Court of Western Australia and the Magistrate’s Court of Western Australia. Matthew has a Master of Laws from the University of British Columbia that focussed on Canadian Aboriginal and environmental law. He is the author of the Lexis Nexis “Native Title – Foreign Jurisdictions” guidecard and is a contributor to the Australian Resources and Energy Law Journal and Native Title News. He is a member of the Law Society of Western Australia’s Environment, Town Planning & Local Government Committee.


Ms. Vanessa Kickett, CEO, South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council
Noongar woman Ms Vanessa Kickett has been appointed as SWALSC Chief Executive Officer. Ms Kickett is SWALSC’s first female Noongar Chief Executive Officer. Ms Vanessa Kickett has been appointed as the first female Noongar Chief Executive Officer of the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC). A proud Noongar woman with more than 20 years of leadership, business development and community and stakeholder engagement, Ms Kickett has a long history in supporting and advocating for Noongar people. In 2021, SWALSC became the Central Services Corporation and supported six Noongar regional corporations in their journey to endorsement. Ms Kickett has been instrumental in implementing the South West Native Title Settlement, and establishing the regional corporations, and the Central Services Corporation. The Central Services Corporation are delivering a range of administrative, corporate, financial, and unique services to the regional corporations.


Ms. Kate Wilson, Director, Ashurst Risk Advisory
Kate Wilson is a partner in Ashurst's Risk practice and has over 15 years commercial experience, specialising in practical and solutions-focussed support for clients. Kate is a former senior manager in the resources sector, working for more than ten years in communities and social performance and land access. She has significant experience in negotiating and implementing agreements with Traditional Owner groups, and has established industry partnerships with community organisations to deliver impactful social change. Kate has also worked closely with project teams to deliver multi-billion dollar projects, including mining and infrastructure projects, and is highly experienced in bringing teams together to ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget and in a way that creates meaningful opportunities for communities. Kate has significant experience in ESG risk assessment and management, with a strong focus on assisting clients to implement and embed risk mitigation.


Ms. Tessa Herrmann, Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers
Tessa Herrmann practices in native title, public law (including administrative and environmental matters), resources, and contracts. Tessa’s considerable native title experience includes handling matters in relation to claimant and non-claimant applications, compensation applications and negotiations, future act, land access and heritage matters, ILUAs, and PBCs. Tessa has experience with on country hearings and mediations. She has acted on behalf of clients in Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory. She is an experienced mediator, and is included on the Federal Court of Australia’s list of National Native Mediators. Tessa was included in the Doyles Guide national list of leading native title barristers for 2022 as a recommended junior counsel, and is an author for Lexis Nexis’ Native Title Service.


Ms. Julie Walker, Director, Gobawarrah Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC
Julie Walker is a director at the Gobawarrah Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC, an organisation that acts as an agent for the Yinhawangka People in respect of their rights and obligations under various land agreements. The Corporation undertakes community activities on behalf of Yinhawangka People and provides support to all beneficiaries of the Yinhawangka Trust.


Dr. Debbie Fletcher
Debbie has held numerous senior positions in State and Commonwealth governments over the last 30 years in the fields of native title, Aboriginal affairs and land access and holds a PhD in history and anthropology. Currently working as a consultant, until November 2021 Debbie was employed by the WA Department of the Premier and Cabinet as Special Advisor, Native Title and, in this role, worked with the team drafting the ACH Act and was appointed to the inaugural Council in September 2022.


Mr. Brendan Moore, Chairperson
Brendan is a strong educated advocate for his people. He lives at South Fremantle with his family for 22 years. He grew up in rural WA at Dandaragan on a wheat/sheep farm which was purchased by his parents in 1973, part of that farm remains in his family and the rest was subdivided in 2000 to become a thriving olive farm called Dandaragan Estate. Brendan has an undergraduate Bachelor of Applied Science in Environmental Management and a Master of International Studies. He is an Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management. He has worked overseas on an International Development project with the United Nations at Mongolia. He works part time at the City of Fremantle, which won the National award for Local Government on Indigenous Recognition in 2019. He is Chair of the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council and an active member of the Wadjemup (Rottnest) Aboriginal Reference Group (WARG). Brendan has been part of Aboriginal consultation, providing the cultural context for major developments at Perth recently including Metronet, Elizabeth Quay, Optus Stadium, Yagan Square, New Museum and Perth Water Precinct Plan. Some of his most recent work included providing the Aboriginal cultural context in the competition for redevelopment at Cottesloe Indiana Tea House and Ocean Reef Marina with Development WA where he is employed as an Aboriginal Development Manager.


Ms. Sophie Kilpatrick, Director and Lawyer, Cross Country Native Title Services
Sophie Kilpatrick is a highly skilled lawyer with over 15 years’ experience working with and for Aboriginal people in Western Australia. She is a director and joint owner of consultant legal practice Cross Country Native Title Services. This practice specialises in native title litigation and advice and advises Prescribed Body Corporates (PBCs), native title applicants, individuals and families on a variety of legal and related issues. Currently Sophie is working on native title litigation and mediations in the Pilbara, Kimberley and Goldfields regions of Western Australia.


Mr. Alex Ripper, Acting Native Title Registrar, National Native Title Tribunal Perth
Alex Ripper is Acting Native Title Registrar at the National Native Title Tribunal. Prior to his appointment, Alex led the work of the Tribunal’s Future Acts and Post-Determination Assistance teams, providing legal and strategic support to the President and Members of the Tribunal in the performance of their functions under the Native Title Act. An accredited mediator for over a decade, Alex has facilitated a wide range of matters involving resource development negotiations, intra-Indigenous conflict resolution, and PBC disputes.