The vote was passed 36 in favour and 18 against.

On June 25  Timor-Leste Foreign Minister, Dioniso Babo Soares, told Reuters that Timor-Leste and Australia had agreed the ratification could take place on August 30, the twentieth anniversary for referendum of independence.

The maritime border treaty regulates how the two neighbouring countries will share revenue from the offshore Greater Sunrise natural gas filed.

A number of laws need to be changed before the ratification of the treaty to delimit the maritime border can pass.

Amongst these are changes to the Oil Fund Law, the Oil Activities Law, the Tax Law and the Timor Gap Law, as well as other changes, some of which are necessary “before ratification” and others may be approved later.

Parliament will now go to recess from 15 August to 14 September.