Timor Sea Treaty could be delayed

Australia's shadow resources minister says if the Timor Sea Treaty is introduced into the Parliament today it will still be difficult to pass the bill by the March deadline.

Joel Fitzgibbon says it's a condition of the contract between the developers of the Bayu Undan Gas Field and their Japanese customers that the Treaty be ratified by March 11.

The Territory and Federal Governments say they're confident the Treaty will be ratified in time.

But Joel Fitzgibbon says with only two weeks of parliamentary sittings available, there is no time to waste.

"Even if the Government introduces the legislation this Thursday morning it still will be difficult to get those bills both through the house of representatives and the Senate before March 11."

06/02/2003 14:34:56 | ABC Radio Australia News

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