Resignation of Tribunal Member 

The President of the National Native Title Tribunal, Justice Robert French, today expressed appreciation for the service rendered by outgoing Tribunal Member Rick Farley who has resigned to contest an Australian Capital Territory Senate seat in the forthcoming Federal election.

Mr Farley, who was appointed as a part-time Member on 12 December 1995 for a three year term, tendered his resignation to the Governor General today.

Justice French said Mr Farley was an experienced Member who had made a valuable contribution to the Tribunal in its complex and contentious task of mediating the resolution of native title applications.

Mr Farley was one of 19 Federal Government appointed Tribunal Members, comprising a President, four full-time and 14 part-time Members, presiding over a case load of 707 applications before the Tribunal for mediation.