Australian Elected to the Human Rights Committee

Media Release

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer the Minister for Industry, Science and Resources, Senator Nick Minchin and the Attorney-General, Mr Daryl Williams AM QC

18 September 2000

Timor Gap Treaty Negotiations to Begin

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Alexander Downer, the Minister for Industry, Science and Resources, Senator Nick Minchin and the Attorney-General, Mr Daryl Williams AM QC, announced today that Australian officials will travel to Dili next month for negotiations with the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) and East Timorese representatives on future arrangements for the exploration and exploitation of petroleum in the Timor Gap.

All three Ministers welcomed the fixing of a date with UNTAET for the start of negotiations, whose first round will extend over three days from 9 to 11 October.

The aim of the talks is to reach agreement on a replacement treaty for the Timor Gap to enter into force on East Timor's independence. It is expected there will be several rounds of talks.

Australia currently has an agreement with UNTAET which provides for the continued operation of the terms of the Timor Gap Treaty originally negotiated with Indonesia. It will expire on the date East Timor becomes independent.

It is necessary to avoid a legal vacuum when that occurs and to provide commercial certainty for the petroleum industry in the Timor Gap. This timely start to negotiations should allow us to achieve just that.

The eventual export of petroleum by pipeline from the Timor Gap to Darwin would bring considerable benefits in terms of Australian regional development. It is very important that there is a seamless transition of arrangements governing petroleum exploitation in the Timor Gap. These negotiations are a first step in that direction.Media

Inquiries: James Baker (Mr Downer) 02 6277 7500
Catherine Fiztpatrick (Mr Williams)
Carolyn Coleman (Senator Minchin) 08 8237 7190