Senator STOTT DESPOJA (10:55 AM) —Thank you, Minister. I go again to the issue of good faith and the perception that Australia is not necessarily operating in good faith, first of all in relation to those licences. Could you let us know now, or take it on notice, what feedback the Australian government has had, if any, from the Timor Leste government on those licences?

I thank you for your answer about international law although I think it is going to be a matter for debate in this chamber. There will be different views as to whether we are fulfilling our obligations under international law in proceeding with that unilateral exploration. I ask the government this, and I can probably predict the answer from the last answer: is it not the case that we should not be issuing new licences in that area until we have a determination on the permanent boundaries? Regardless of the government's perceptions of international law obligations, shouldn't we, as part of our good faith agenda, not be issuing new licences until there is a permanent determination of the boundaries?