The Timorese-born Australian Angelita Pires recently declared her nomination in East Timor's Presidential election and is now preparing to begin her campaign.

In 2010 Angelita Pires was acquitted of conspiring to murder the current President Jose Ramos-Horta. She is the former partner of the rebel leader Alfredo Reinado who was shot dead during that attack.

Angelita Pires says she's running to address problems in the justice system and to help provide universal access to justice. She says her concern about impunity in East Timor prompted her to run, in particular the release into Indonesian custody of former militia leader Maternus Bere in 2009.

Presenter: Sara Everingham

Speaker: Angelita Pires, East Timor presidential candidate

Pires: I think it's pretty well known that I was indicted in the case of 11th February 2008, and after the grave injustice that occurred to my person, my priorities have changed a lot Sara, and my candidacy was mostly due to the request of many, many people, many poor people and many of those youths and women who felt that they don't have access to justice and they felt that they wanted a change. Until today they insist that they want a new face and new ideas.

Everingham: So what are these new ideas?

Pires: I think it's very important to clarify that in East Timor there still remains a very fragile, weak justice system. I think it's important to highlight that a President should reinforce, should encourage the separation of powers, he should be able to provide leadership, one that invigorates the youth, one that gives confidence to the country.

Everingham: Is this campaign about raising the concerns you have or the differences you have with the incumbent President Jose Ramos Horta who you've had public differences in the past?

Pires: Not really, I think what happened is very clear and it's no longer about Jose Ramos Horta and I, the priority really is the country and the nation and where it's heading at the moment. And I think it's common knowledge that today East Timor is still very fragile.

Everingham: So as President what would you do to try and improve the lives of people in East Timor?

Pires: First and foremost there has to be access to justice, there has to be equality and especially in the distribution of wealth. When we talk about development Sara I think it's important that even the poorest person in East Timor benefits somewhat of this so-called development.

Everingham: You were very much involved with the petitioners during the 2006 crisis. Do you think you're someone who can bring the country together?

Pires: Definitely I think peace and prosperity is solely dependent on the rule of law. I think I've honoured the courts, I think in the case of the petitioners that's a fine example that our institutions were not functioning according to their constitutional power, and the failure to attend issues quickly, matters like this very quickly and that led to 2006 and 2008. I think I've experienced it and I think I've been a victim of it so to speak, and you learn from your experiences, and I believe that once you feel it in your own skin you're better able to attend the necessities of others.

Everingham: But the President Jose Ramos Horta talks a lot about looking to the future in East Timor. Is there a danger in bringing up the past that could be destabilising for the country?

Pires: The country needs to feel that people who have wounded them that they're accountable. Sure there will be a pardon and there could be a pardon at a later date, but these men must be seen to be responsible to the laws that govern East Timor.

Everingham: If you were elected President would you be trying to develop the relationship with Australia, would you be trying to do anything in that area?

Pires: Definitely, I mean we're an hour and a half away and I think it's important that we continue this work that the previous president has done and the previous governments have done in diplomacy with Indonesia as well as Australia. It's important, I lived in Australia, I know how a democratic system works and it would be an honour really to see at least the Timorese children living 20 per cent of the quality of life that the Australian children have. I was very fortunate and I'd like for them to have the same experience, yes.