Australia steps up aid for East Timor amid China’s growing influence in the Pacific
- Canberra pledged A$35 million (US$23 million) for East Timor’s policing services and A$4 million (US$2.6 million) to help Timorese workers integrate in Australia
- The aid comes after Australia and East Timor signed a major defence deal in 2022 to boost bilateral military cooperation
Underlying these gestures however are pre-existing tensions between the two countries, especially in differences over the development of the controversial but valuable Greater Sunrise gas fields located in the Timor Gap, the strip of water between the two countries.
Canberra said the funding announced on Monday would “continue the successful policing partnership” between the Australian Federal Police and the National Police of East Timor and would be deployed through the Timor-Leste Police Development Programme.
“The extension of our policing partnership underscores Australia’s ongoing support for Timor-Leste’s sovereignty and security,” said the statement issued by Pat Conroy, Australia’s minister for international development and the Pacific.
The new funding will also support Timorese workers starting jobs in Australia under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme, including helping them build financial literacy skills.
