Government called to fix 'historic wrong' over Timor-Leste gas and oil

Centre Alliance Senator Rex Patrick is calling on the government to fix an "historic wrong" committed against Timor-Leste.

An East Timor activist paint Australian Embassy's wall during a protest at Australian Embassy in Dili, Timor Leste on 20 December 2013. Source: AAP Image/EPA/ANTONIO DASIPARU

Crossbench senator Rex Patrick is calling on the government to reverse changes that prevented Timor Leste from taking Australia to court over potential international maritime law breaches during oil and gas negotiations.

The Centre Alliance senator said it was time for Australia to fix an "historic wrong" over its "shameless" treatment of its newly independent neighbour in the early 2000s as it tried to get a bigger share of oil and gas reserves in the Timor Sea. 

In 2002, then prime minister John Howard limited Australia's exposure to the International Court of Justice and the International Tribunal for the law of the Sea.

"Australia’s commitment to international law was pushed aside in a shameless effort to grab as much as possible of the oil and gas resources of the Timor Sea," Senator Patrick said.

"This was a historic wrong that needs to be fixed."

Then East Timorese President Ramos Horta and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer in Dilli, East Timor in 2007. Source: AAP

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