The Australian media has recently reported that a resource sharing agreement between East Timor and Australia on how to share the Greater Sunrise gas field is set to be signed by the end of the year.

The gas field, located twice as close to East Timor than Australia is estimated to produce over $40 billion in 'government royalties'. The deal currently on offer, reportedly gives East Timor 50 percent of the revenues, which is an improvement on the miserly 18 percent previously offered, but is still well short of East Timor's rightful entitlement under current principles of International Law.

However, Timor Sea Justice Campaign co-ordinator, Tom Clarke, said he wasn't holding his breath on a deal being signed.

"We've heard a range of claims from Alexander Downer and his posse in the past, not many of which have come to fruition. Back in May, the Australian public were told that a deal with East Timor was imminent and yet every single day that has past, the theft of oil from the contested Laminaria Corallina field has continued," Mr Clarke said.

Mr Clarke was also quick to point out that Alexander Downer promised a 'Christmas present' for East Timor last year as well.

"It's hardly in the 'Christmas spirit' to deprive the poorest country in Asia of billions of dollars and deny a sovereign state of the right to enjoy permanent maritime boundaries. Downer is sounding more like the 'Grinch that stole Christmas' to me," Mr Clarke said.

The Timor Sea Justice Campaign claims that while the proposed deal would be a step in the right direction in regards to the improved share of revenues East Timor would receive, any attempts to postpone the establishment of a permanent maritime boundary would simply be further bullying behaviour from the Australian Government.

"This deal is really just a bandaid solution for one particular gas field. If more petroleum resources are discovered tomorrow, it will be back to square one. Only permanent maritime boundaries will provide legal certainty to both governments and commercial interests. " Mr Clarke said.

The lobby group has stated that it will continue its campaign urging the Australian Government to establish a permanent maritime boundary with East Timor along the median line, half way between the two countries, claiming that the proposed deal is likely to simply be another 'temporary resources sharing agreement' capable of being superseded by a permanent boundary.

"These issues of boundaries are integral to the process of self-determination and achieving true independence, so until the East Timorese enjoy just and fair borders, their struggle will continue and their many supporters in Australia will be here to help," Mr Clarke said.