National Native Title Tribunal member appointment

The Albanese Government has today announced the appointment of Dr Giovanni (Joe) Fardin as a Member of the National Native Title Tribunal (Tribunal). The Tribunal is an independent body with a range of functions under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).

As a Member, Dr Fardin will work closely with First Nations peoples as well as non-Indigenous Australians to assist parties to negotiate Indigenous Land Use Agreements, facilitate the resolution of disputes about proposed future acts (such as the granting of a mining lease) or native title claims, and contribute to broader community education on native title.

Dr Fardin was selected following a merit-based process. His 5-year appointment begins on 11 May 2026.

For more information about the Tribunal, visit the National Native Title Tribunal website.

Biography

Dr Fardin holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Australia and a Master of Laws from the University of Dundee, Scotland. In 2025, he was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Western Australia with a research topic of ‘Indigenous consent to mining: A comparative analysis of the legal determinants’.

Dr Fardin is an experienced lawyer who has advised government agencies, Indigenous corporations and businesses on land management and native title issues within Australia and internationally. He has extensive experience working with the Native Title Act 1993 as a lawyer, public servant and academic. This includes representing Traditional Owners in native title claims and future acts matters, taking native title claims to consent determination, and managing dispute resolution and casework at the National Native Title Tribunal.

Since 2025, Dr Fardin has been engaged by global consultancy firm, GHD, to provide advice and assistance to communities, governments and developers. Prior to this he worked in the resources sector as a lead in developing and modernising agreements with local communities. He has worked in the former Commonwealth Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination where he assisted in the delivery of the Federal Government’s Native Title and Land Rights Program in Western Australia. Dr Fardin has had an extensive career in academia including as a Research Fellow at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies and as an author of several academic papers relating to native title, mining law and the significance for First Nations’ communities.

Quotes attributable to Attorney-General, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:

“I congratulate Dr Fardin on his appointment as a Member of the Tribunal.

“Dr Fardin brings more than twenty years of experience in Indigenous affairs, land management and agreement‑making across government, legal, academic and private sector contexts which will support the Tribunal in it’s important work.

“I would also like to thank outgoing member Mr Glen Kelly for his service and valued contribution as a member of the Tribunal.”