Timor-Leste Archives - The Northern Myth

Copenhagen Agreement: Permanent Boundary or CMATS redux?

La’o Hamutuk considers this celebration like the ‘celebration’ in 2005, when Timor-Leste and Australia agreed on the CMATS Treaty ... Sadly, although the celebration had begun, in the end that ‘agreement’ was not considered a victory for Timor-Leste. This is because the CMATS Treaty blocked Timor-Leste from speaking about its sovereign rights while Greater Sunrise was in production, and continued to recognize Australia’s rights to sea areas which properly belong to Timor-Leste under principles of international law.

By Bob Gosford|2017-09-05T18:00:49+09:30September 5th, 2017|Australian politics, Northern development, Northern Territory politics, Some places I've been, The Law, The Northern Myth, Timor-Leste|0 Comments

Australia and East Timor agree on the Timor Sea

While no specific details are available, the agreement that has been reached refers to a ‘pathway to the development of the [Greater Sunrise] resource, and the sharing of the resulting revenue’. Australia had previously offered East Timor a 50-50 split of revenue from the Greater Sunrise field, so it is expected that the agreement will increase East Timor’s share of revenues. The agreement also leaves open the question of the ‘pathway to the development’ of the field.

By Bob Gosford|2017-09-03T16:05:12+09:30September 3rd, 2017|Australian politics, The Law, The Northern Myth, Timor-Leste|0 Comments

Peace in our time between Timor-Leste and Australia over the Timor Gap?

I thank the Commission for its resolve and skill in bringing the Parties together, through a long and at times difficult process, to help us achieve our dream of full sovereignty and to finally settle our maritime boundaries with Australia. This is an historic agreement and marks the beginning of a new era in Timor-Leste’s friendship with Australia: former President of Timor-Leste Xanana Gusmão

By Bob Gosford|2017-09-02T17:30:28+09:30September 2nd, 2017|Australian politics, Northern development, Northern Territory politics, Some places I've been, The Law, The Northern Myth, Timor-Leste|1 Comment

Wave Hill, Communists and a Bedford two-tonner. An interview with Brian Manning

"Dexter [Daniels] died unrecognized and unsung. I learnt that he died on fucking Christmas day the year before ... I reckon that Dexter Daniels achieved a fucking good sight more than Charlie Perkins." Brian Manning, Australia Day, 2011.

By Bob Gosford|2016-08-19T19:25:22+09:30August 19th, 2016|Australian politics, Fun stuff, Northern Territory politics, The Northern Myth, Timor-Leste|0 Comments

The Montara oil spill – Australia’s shame finally gets to court

Montara has seen thousands of hardworking seaweed farmers rendered into abject poverty without being advised of or understanding the cause. For too long now, the polluter has tried to hide behind the poverty and remoteness of its victims. The people who bore the brunt of Montara's lethal discharge will now, finally, have their voices heard in an Australian court: Darwin lawyer Greg Phelps.

By Bob Gosford|2016-08-03T08:00:58+09:30August 3rd, 2016|Australian politics, Northern development, Northern Territory politics, Some places I've been, The Law, The Northern Myth, Timor-Leste|1 Comment

Six blokes and an old boat with a nice arse. The ‘Selamat Dua’

The loss of the 'Selamat Dua' is one of the great nautical regrets of my life, because two years later I was living and working in East Timor following the crisis and the 'Selamat Dua' would have been perfect over there - Tony Haritos.

By Bob Gosford|2015-06-14T08:06:01+09:30June 14th, 2015|Fun stuff, Photography, Some places I've been, Timor-Leste, Writing and writers|0 Comments

East Timor’s media law unconstitutional – Court of Appeal

Jose Belo: "The Courts today have upheld our constitution, which we fought so hard for. This is a victory for the East Timorese people. The government is trying to stop freedom of the media and freedom of expression ... It would now seem our politicians need help from the lawmakers to understand what the constitution means."

By Bob Gosford|2014-08-21T21:46:13+09:30August 21st, 2014|The Law, Timor-Leste, Writing and writers|0 Comments

Timor-Leste’s new media law – is press freedom under threat?

"This proposed law is reminiscent of policies implemented by dictatorships everywhere to hide the reality in their countries from the world, strangling people’s freedom of expression to preserve their power," La'o Hamutuk, 29 May 2014

By Bob Gosford|2014-06-03T12:43:19+09:30June 1st, 2014|Australian politics, Northern development, Some places I've been, The Law, The Northern Myth, Timor-Leste|1 Comment

The canary in the oil-well. Timor-Leste’s oil revenue in rapid decline

Timor-Leste's leaders must adopt realistic policies and make a serious effort to develop a productive local economy to replace non-renewable oil and gas reserves, rather than relying on wishful thinking about possible future discoveries. The alternatives are frightening indeed.

By Bob Gosford|2014-04-03T20:55:20+09:30April 2nd, 2014|Australian politics, Northern development, The Law, Timor-Leste|0 Comments

Vale Brian Manning – Michael Gunner MLA’s Condolence Motion to the NT parliament

Others have spoken of his time in the Territory, I would like to talk about what made the man: from a dirt poor childhood living on the fringes of a tiny Queensland town, to his life as an advocate of human rights here in the Territory and overseas.

By Bob Gosford|2014-01-19T14:59:11+09:30January 19th, 2014|Australian politics, Northern development, Northern Territory politics, NT local government, NT Police, Some places I've been, The Law, The Northern Myth, Timor-Leste|0 Comments