Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese arrived in East Timor on Jan. 28, marking his first official visit as leader to the strategic northern neighbour.
Addressing the national parliament, Albanese signaled Australia's urgent desire for a "new, deeper partnership" centered on regional security, economic resilience, and energy cooperation.
The visit arrives at a critical juncture as Canberra seeks to reaffirm its role as Dili’s primary partner, countering China's growing influence and a 2023 strategic agreement between Dili and Beijing.
The cornerstone of the visit remains the long-stalled Greater Sunrise gas fields.
For decades, a dispute over whether to process liquefied natural gas in Darwin or on East Timor’s south coast has stalled the project.
However, following recent agreements between Woodside Energy (ASX:WDS) and Timor Gap to conduct new feasibility studies, President Jose Ramos-Horta expressed fresh confidence in a resolution.
With East Timor now a member of ASEAN and facing economic fragility, Albanese’s speech invoked the two nations' shared history—dating back to World War II—as a foundation for future stability.
As Australia shifts its defence focus toward protecting its northern approaches, securing a stable, pro-Western energy hub just 700km away has become a paramount priority for the Albanese administration.