The Government and Opposition's decision to ram the Greater Sunrise legislation through the Senate was an abuse of process and will harm Australia's international reputation, according to the Australian Democrats.
Democrats Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Senator Natasha Stott Despoja, said there was growing concern around the world about the way in which Australia has handled the Timor Sea negotiations.
"The overwhelming evidence is that Australia is not dealing with Timor-Leste in good faith," said Senator Stott Despoja.
"Our Government is procrastinating on the negotiations for a permanent boundary with Timor-Leste while helping itself to billions of dollars of revenue which may rightfully belong to the people of Timor-Leste.
"As the poorest nation in the region, Timor-Leste desperately needs this revenue to build infrastructure for the Timorese community.
"It is ironic that the Australian Government played such a crucial role in helping Timor-Leste achieve legal independence but is now thwarting Timor-Leste's attempts to achieve financial independence.
Senator Stott Despoja today moved an amendment which would require the Australian Government to hold any taxation revenue generated from the Greater Sunrise development in trust until permanent maritime boundaries between Australia and Timor-Leste have been determined. This proposal was advocated by 54 US Congress Members, who recently wrote to Prime Minister Howard about the issue.
Senator Stott Despoja said the amendment would provide an incentive for the Government to expedite the negotiations with Timor-Leste.
"It is unfortunate that a financial incentive is required but the overwhelming evidence suggests that, in the absence of such an incentive, the Australian Government will maintain its lax approach to negotiations while continuing to help itself to revenue which probably belongs to Timor-Leste."
