Brereton Press Release On Timor Gap Agreement

LAURIE BRERETON MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS [Australia]
NEWS RELEASE

52/01

4 July 2001

TIMOR GAP AGREEMENT

“This is a very welcome development which will afford East Timor the opportunity to achieve a much greater measure of economic self-reliance in place of aid dependency,” Mr Brereton said.

“Labor strongly supports this agreement.  Our only regret is that the Australian Government did not heed our advocacy of a 90-10 revenue split in favour of East Timor much earlier.”

“Labor, for many months, called on the Government to adopt a generous approach to the negotiations.  Since October last year, I have urged acceptance of a 90-10 revenue distribution.”

“A future Labor Government will do everything we can to ensure the smooth implementation of this agreement and the earliest possible development of the gas and petroleum resources of the Timor Gap.”

“We will also look to maximise the long-term employment benefits for East Timor arising from these projects.”

“In the meantime, we are committed to work energetically with the international community to ensure that East Timor receives the necessary foreign aid to ensure immediate humanitarian and development challenges are fully addressed.”

“Petroleum and gas revenues from the Timor Gap will not begin to come on stream for several years, and strong Australian support for East Timor will be required for many years to come.”

See also:

BD: TIMOR OIL - A collection of recent reports, position statements, petitions, articles and news

Oct 9 2000 AAP: Australian Labor Party / Australian Democrats back East Timor on Gap Treaty  News added Feb 27