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Australians back Timor-Leste in maritime dispute

The Australian Institute (TAI) - November 14, 2016

Nobel winner calls on Australia to show 'fair go' over $40b Timor Sea oil – Brisbane Times. October 27, 2016
Australia, East Timor to strive for agreement on disputed maritime boundary by September 2017 – Straits Times. October 13, 2016
The rules of extraction: Australia and the Timor Sea – The Strategist (ASPI). October 10, 2016
A good day in The Hague – The Monthly. October 4, 2016
Timor-Leste welcomes conciliation commission's decision on Timor Sea boundary dispute – Dili Weekly. September 30, 2016

Australians favour international law to determine Timor maritime boundary between Timor-Leste and Australia, even if that delivers Timor-Leste a substantial share of the oil and gas in the Timor Sea.

The poll of 10,271 residents across Australia showed 56.5% support for establishing a maritime boundary in accordance with current international law, with only 17% opposed to the change.

A maritime boundary in accordance to international law would mean the formal end of the disputed Treaty on Certain Maritime Arrangements in the Timor Sea.

The Treaty has been marred in controversy since the revelations that Australia bugged East Timor's diplomatic mission during negotiations. In late September 2016, a court of arbitration at The Hague ruled that an international tribunal has standing to hear East Timor's complain, paving the way for a renegotiation of the maritime boundary.

"Fairness is a nationally defining trait for Australians. This polling suggests that most people want Timor-Leste to have a fair go with regards to resources in the Timor Sea," Executive Director of The Australia Institute, Ben Oquist said.

"This shows there is public support for negotiations to mark the maritime boundaries between our two countries, as currently there are none.

"It would be terrible if Australia's behaviour in this affair has the potential to undo the good will and strong friendship forged through our support of East Timorese independence.

"The Government should heed the public mood on this issue and enter future negotiations with a new spirit of amity and respect for international law," Oquist said.

Polling results

ReachTEL conducted a survey of 10,271 residents across Australia on the evening of 30th August 2016.

Question: Now thinking about Australia's international relationships. There is currently no permanent maritime boundary between Australia and East Timor. Drawing a boundary in accordance with current international law is likely to deliver East Timor a substantial share of the oil and gas located in the Timor Sea.

Should Australia try to establish a permanent maritime boundary in accordance with current international law?

See tables with breakdown of responses here: http://www.tai.org.au/content/australians-back-timor-leste-maritime-dispute

Source: http://www.tai.org.au/content/australians-back-timor-leste-maritime-dispute.