Mr IAN MACFARLANE (Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources) (11:25 AM) —Can I just say again in conclusion, with regard to the comments of the resource spokesman for the opposition, that it is the quite clear wish—and I read from the brief that I have—that there be no trip-wire, as he terms it, on duty-free entry. It is the strong view of the Timorese government that that be the case.

In terms of expediting the development of this field and the reality of the situation, the Australian government saw that, on balance, this was no disadvantage to Australian companies. In fact, it provided an excellent opportunity for Australian companies to participate in this process, as I am sure they will. I reiterate that this clause is strongly promoted and supported by the East Timorese government. For that reason it is in the Greater Sunrise unitisation agreement. We would otherwise have to go back and renegotiate the treaty. And were we to go back and renegotiate the treaty, there is no certainty in this process that this field would ever be developed. We have a situation that is supported by both governments in terms of this legislation and this agreement and we should proceed on that basis rather than jump at shadows.