A partnership forged in war, renewed in 2026
From the Second World War to the Parseria Foun ba Era Foun, the relationship between the two nations.
The deep connection between Australia and Timor‑Leste began during the Second World War, when Timorese communities risked and sacrificed their lives to support Australian commandos. This foundational bond paved the way for the modern relationship, which was definitively forged when Australia led the INTERFET peacekeeping mission following the 1999 independence vote, and again during the 2006 unrest through Operation Astute.
Today the partnership has matured into a sophisticated, forward-looking relationship defined by joint problem-solving and mutual respect. The landmark 2018 Maritime Boundaries Treaty settled resource governance in the Timor Sea, opening the door to initiatives such as the proposed cross-border carbon capture and storage project at the Bayu-Undan gas field. This economic collaboration is reinforced by expanding people-to-people ties through Australia’s PALM scheme, institutional capacity building, and Australia’s strong backing of Timor‑Leste’s accession to ASEAN.
The relationship entered a new chapter on 28 January 2026 with the signing of the Parseria Foun ba Era Foun (New Partnership for a New Era) by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. This joint declaration establishes a comprehensive framework to deepen ties between the two nations. Structured around three pillars, peace and regional integration, economic prosperity and resilience, and stronger people-to-people links, it reinforces mutual respect for national sovereignty while bolstering cooperation on regional security, institutional development and sustainable economic growth.
The three pillars of the New Partnership
