Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

The government implements treaty-making arrangements consistent with practices of successive governments, which include appropriate consultation between the parliament, the government and the Australian public. The parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will be conducting an inquiry into Australia's relationship with Timor-Leste. Members of the parliament and the public will be able to provide input to this inquiry and I look forward to the results of this inquiry. With respect to Timor-Leste, Australia is committed to supporting Timor-Leste's economic development. Revenues from oil and gas have made a significant contribution to this small country's progress to date and we would expect this to continue.