TIMOR SEA JUSTICE CAMPAIGN


Newsletter ­ May 2005.

Home: http://www.TimorSeaJustice.org

Contrary to recent media reports suggesting ‘a deal has been made’ between Australia and East Timor, no new agreements have been signed. The East Timorese Government has indicated that there are still details to be worked through on the proposed deal about the Greater Sunrise field before it will be considered.

The Timor Sea Justice Campaign has labelled the proposed deal as shoddy and inadequate, claiming that it does not reflects East Timor’s full entitlement to the Greater Sunrise field or take into account fields that Australia has been unilaterally depleting since 1999.

“This issue is far from over and every day that passes the theft continues,” said Dan Nicholson, a spokesperson for the campaign.

“Right now, the Australian Government is taking royalties from contested fields, so we are very concerned by the Australian Government’s ongoing refusal to recognise East Timor’s full legal entitlements under current International Law,” Mr Nicholson said.

Even in the last two weeks since the most recent round of talks, the Australian Government has taken millions of dollars from fields that are highly likely to belong to East Timor if permanent maritime boundaries were established in accordance with current International Law.

“The millions taken in the last two weeks should be flowing into the poorest country in Asia to address the alarming number of deaths from preventable diseases. How can fair negotiations take place while money that East Timor is entitled to is being siphoned to Canberra?” Mr Nicholson said.

Businessperson Ian Melrose has also announced that he will continue his advertising campaign "until the Australian Government stops stealing East Timor’s gas and oil."

The Timor Sea Justice Campaign & the St Michael’s Social Justice Group are holding a public meeting at 8pm next Wednesday 1 June in Ashburton, Melbourne.

The presentation will outline how the Australian Government is trying to short change East Timor with another temporary resource sharing agreement. The latest plans for the next phase of Ian Melrose’s advertising campaign will also be outlined. Come along to the public event and get involved in the campaign to ensure East Timor gets a fair go in the Timor Sea.

8pm, Wednesday June 1.

St Michael's Community Centre, cnr High St & Victory Blvd, Ashburton, Melbourne.

For further information, please contact Michael Wood (St Michaels) on 0411 700 781 or Tom Clarke (TSJC Melbourne) on 0422 545 763.

Australia East Timor Friendship Association (South Australia) - East Timor Independence Dinner:

Celebration of East Timor independence & 30 years of East Timor independence activism in Adelaide.

Special Guest Speaker - Ian Melrose (the man behind the Timor Sea TV ads)

6:30pm Saturday 28 May

Folk Centre, cnr South Rd and George St, Thebarton, Adelaide.

For further information, please contact: Miriam on 8295 6481 or Bob on 8344 3511.

TSJC talk/stall at the East Timorese Arts and Culture Festival:

Includes a 15 minute presentation about the TSJC and the latest developments in the negotiations.

1-5pm Sunday 5 June.

Footscray Community Arts Centre, 45 Moreland Rd, Footscray, Melbourne.

Timor Sea Discussion:

The TSJC will lead a discussion about the issue for the Social Justice Network of the North Balwyn Uniting Churches.

12:30pm Sunday 12 June.

10A Stroma Ave, North Balwyn, Melbourne.

Presentation:

Presentation to Amnesty International & Oxfam CAA branch meetings:

8pm Wednesday 15 June.

St Lukes Uniting Church, Essex Rd, Mt Waverly, Melbourne. (melways ref 61-D10)

For further information, please contact: Beatrice Head on 9561 1587.

Friday 27 May, 2005.

Co-ordinator

Timor Sea Justice Campaign, Melbourne.

m: 0422 545 763

e: tom@timorseajustice.org