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PETROLEUM (TIMOR SEA TREATY) ACT 2003 NO. 9, 2003 - SCHEDULE 1
- Timor Sea Treaty
Note: This is the copy of the Treaty referred to in the definition of Treaty
in subsection 5(1) of this Act.
TIMOR SEA TREATY
THE GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA
and
THE GOVERNMENT OF EAST
TIMOR
CONSCIOUS of the importance of promoting East Timor's economic
development;
AWARE of the need to maintain security of investment for
existing and planned petroleum activities in an area of seabed between
Australia and East Timor;
RECOGNISING the benefits that will flow to both
Australia and East Timor by providing a continuing basis for petroleum
activities in an area of seabed between Australia and East Timor to proceed as
planned;
EMPHASISING the importance of developing petroleum resources in a
way that minimizes damage to the natural environment, that is economically
sustainable, promotes further investment and contributes to the long-term
development of Australia and East Timor;
CONVINCED that the development of
the resources in accordance with this Treaty will provide a firm foundation
for continuing and strengthening the friendly relations between Australia and
East Timor;
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT the United Nations Convention on the Law of
the Sea done at Montego Bay on 10 December 1982, which provides in
Article 83 that the delimitation of the continental shelf between States with
opposite or adjacent coasts shall be effected by agreement on the basis of
international law in order to achieve an equitable solution;
TAKING FURTHER
INTO ACCOUNT, in the absence of delimitation, the further obligation for
States to make every effort, in a spirit of understanding and co-operation, to
enter into provisional arrangements of a practical nature which do not
prejudice a final determination of the seabed delimitation;
NOTING the
desirability of Australia and East Timor entering into a Treaty providing for
the continued development of the petroleum resources in an area of seabed
between Australia and East Timor;
HAVE AGREED as follows:
Article 1:
Definitions
For the purposes of this Treaty:
(a) "Treaty" means this Treaty,
including Annexes A-G and any Annexes subsequently agreed between Australia
and East Timor.
(b) "contractor" means a corporation or corporations which
enter into a contract with the Designated Authority and which is registered as
a contractor under the Petroleum Mining Code".
(c) "criminal law" means any
law in force in Australia and East Timor, whether substantive or procedural,
that makes provision for or in relation to offences or for or in relation to
the investigation or prosecution of offences or the punishment of offenders,
including the carrying out of a penalty imposed by a court. For this purpose,
"investigation" includes entry to an installation or structure in the JPDA,
the exercise of powers of search and questioning and the apprehension of a
suspected offender.
(d) "Designated Authority" means the Designated Authority
established in Article 6 of this Treaty.
(e) "fiscal scheme" means a royalty,
a Production Sharing Contract, or other scheme for determining Australia's and
East Timor's share of petroleum or revenue from petroleum activities and does
not include taxes referred to in Article 5 (b) of this Treaty.
(f) "initially
processed" means processing of petroleum to a point where it is ready for
off-take from the production facility and may include such processes as the
removal of water, volatiles and other impurities.
(g) "Joint Commission"
means the Australia-East Timor Joint Commission established in Article 6 of
this Treaty.
(h) "JPDA" means the Joint Petroleum Development Area
established in Article 3 of this Treaty.
(i) "Ministerial Council" means the
Australia-East Timor Ministerial Council established in Article 6 of this
Treaty.
(j) "petroleum" means:
i. any naturally occurring hydrocarbon,
whether in a gaseous, liquid, or solid state;
ii. any naturally occurring
mixture of hydrocarbons, whether in a gaseous, liquid or solid state; or
iii.
any naturally occurring mixture of one or more hydrocarbons, whether in a
gaseous, liquid or solid state, as well as other substances produced in
association with such hydrocarbons;
and includes any petroleum as defined by
sub-paragraphs (i), (ii) or (iii) that has been returned to a natural
reservoir.
(k) "petroleum activities" means all activities undertaken to
produce petroleum, authorised or contemplated under a contract, permit or
licence, and includes exploration, development, initial processing,
production, transportation and marketing, as well as the planning and
preparation for such activities.
(l) "Petroleum Mining Code" means the Code
referred to in Article 7 of this Treaty.
(m) "petroleum project" means
petroleum activities taking place in a specified area within the JPDA.
(n)
"petroleum produced" means initially processed petroleum extracted from a
reservoir through petroleum activities.
(o) "Production Sharing Contract"
means a contract between the Designated Authority and a limited liability
corporation or entity with limited liability under which production from a
specified area of the JPDA is shared between the parties to the contract.
(p)
"reservoir" means an accumulation of petroleum in a geological unit limited by
rock, water or other substances without pressure communication through liquid
or gas to another accumulation of petroleum.
(q) "taxation code" means the
code referred to in Article 13 (b) of this Treaty.
Article 2: Without
prejudice
(a) This Treaty gives effect to international law as reflected in
the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea done at Montego Bay on
10 December 1982 which under Article 83 requires States with opposite or
adjacent coasts to make every effort to enter into provisional arrangements of
a practical nature pending agreement on the final delimitation of the
continental shelf between them in a manner consistent with international law.
This Treaty is intended to adhere to such obligation.
(b) Nothing contained
in this Treaty and no acts taking place while this Treaty is in force shall be
interpreted as prejudicing or affecting Australia's or East Timor's position
on or rights relating to a seabed delimitation or their respective seabed
entitlements.
Article 3: Joint Petroleum Development Area
(a) The Joint
Petroleum Development Area (JPDA) is established. It is the area in the Timor
Sea contained within the lines described in Annex A.
(b) Australia and East
Timor shall jointly control, manage and facilitate the exploration,
development and exploitation of the petroleum resources of the JPDA for the
benefit of the peoples of Australia and East Timor.
(c) Petroleum activities
conducted in the JPDA shall be carried out pursuant to a contract between the
Designated Authority and a limited liability corporation or entity with
limited liability specifically established for the sole purpose of the
contract. This provision shall also apply to the successors or assignees of
such corporations.
(d) Australia and East Timor shall make it an offence for
any person to conduct petroleum activities in the JPDA otherwise than in
accordance with this Treaty.
Article 4: Sharing of petroleum production
(a)
Australia and East Timor shall have title to all petroleum produced in the
JPDA. Of the petroleum produced in the JPDA, ninety (90) percent shall belong
to East Timor and ten (10) percent shall belong to Australia.
(b) To the
extent that fees referred to in Article 6(b)(vi) and other income are
inadequate to cover the expenditure of the Designated Authority in relation to
this Treaty, that expenditure shall be borne in the same proportion as set out
in paragraph (a).
Article 5: Fiscal arrangements and taxes
Fiscal
arrangements and taxes shall be dealt with in the following manner:
(a)
Unless a fiscal scheme is otherwise provided for in this Treaty:
i. Australia
and East Timor shall make every possible effort to agree on a joint fiscal
scheme for each petroleum project in the JPDA.
ii. If Australia and East
Timor fail to reach agreement on a joint fiscal scheme referred to in
sub-paragraph (i), they shall jointly appoint an independent expert to
recommend an appropriate joint fiscal scheme to apply to the petroleum project
concerned.
iii. If either Australia or East Timor does not agree to the joint
fiscal scheme recommended by the independent expert, Australia and East Timor
may each separately impose their own fiscal scheme on their proportion of the
production of the project as calculated in accordance with the formula
contained in Article 4 of this Treaty.
iv. If Australia and East Timor agree
on a joint fiscal scheme pursuant to this Article, neither Australia nor East
Timor may during the life of the project vary that scheme except by mutual
agreement between Australia and East Timor.
(b) Consistent with the formula
contained in Article 4 of this Treaty, Australia and East Timor may, in
accordance with their respective laws and the taxation code, impose taxes on
their share of the revenue from petroleum activities in the JPDA and relating
to activities referred to in Article 13 of this Treaty.
Article 6: Regulatory
bodies
(a) A three-tiered joint administrative structure consisting of a
Designated Authority, a Joint Commission and a Ministerial Council is
established.
(b) Designated Authority:
i. For the first three years after
this Treaty enters into force, or for a different period of time if agreed to
jointly by Australia and East Timor, the Joint Commission shall designate the
Designated Authority.
ii. After the period specified in
sub-paragraph (i), the Designated Authority shall be the East Timor
Government Ministry responsible for petroleum activities or, if so decided by
the Ministry, an East Timor statutory authority.
iii. For the period
specified in sub-paragraph (i), the Designated Authority has juridical
personality and such legal capacities under the law of both Australia and East
Timor as are necessary for the exercise of its powers and the performance of
its functions. In particular, the Designated Authority shall have the capacity
to contract, to acquire and dispose of movable and immovable property and to
institute and be party to legal proceedings.
iv. The Designated Authority
shall be responsible to the Joint Commission and shall carry out the
day-to-day regulation and management of petroleum activities.
v. A
non-exclusive listing of more detailed powers and functions of the Designated
Authority is set out in Annex C. The Annexes to this Treaty may identify other
additional detailed powers and functions of the Designated Authority. The
Designated Authority also has such other powers and functions as may be
conferred upon it by the Joint Commission.
vi. The Designated Authority shall
be financed from fees collected under the Petroleum Mining Code.
vii. For the
period specified in sub-paragraph (i), the Designated Authority shall be
exempt from the following existing taxes:
(1) in East Timor, the income tax imposed under the law of East Timor;
(2) in
Australia, the income tax imposed under the federal law of Australia;
as well
as any identical or substantially similar taxes which are imposed after the
date of signature of this Treaty in addition to, or in place of, the existing
taxes.
viii. For the period specified in sub-paragraph (i), personnel of
the Designated Authority:
(1) shall be exempt from taxation of salaries,
allowances and other emoluments paid to them by the Designated Authority in
connection with their service with the Designated Authority other than
taxation under the law of Australia or East Timor in which they are deemed to
be resident for taxation purposes; and
(2) shall, at the time of first taking
up the post with the Designated Authority located in either Australia or East
Timor in which they are not resident, be exempt from customs duties and other
such charges (except payments for services) in respect of imports of furniture
and other household and personal effects in their ownership or possession or
already ordered by them and intended for their personal use or for their
establishment; such goods shall be imported within six months of an officer's
first entry but in exceptional circumstances an extension of time shall be
granted by the Government of Australia or the Government of East Timor; goods
which have been acquired or imported by officers and to which exemptions under
this sub-paragraph apply shall not be given away, sold, lent or hired out, or
otherwise disposed of except under conditions agreed in advance with the
Government of Australia or the Government of East Timor depending on in which
country the officer is located.
(c) Joint Commission:
i. The Joint
Commission shall consist of commissioners appointed by Australia and East
Timor. There shall be one more commissioner appointed by East Timor than by
Australia. The Joint Commission shall establish policies and regulations
relating to petroleum activities in the JPDA and shall oversee the work of the
Designated Authority.
ii. A non-exclusive listing of more detailed powers and
functions of the Joint Commission is set out in Annex D. The Annexes to this
Treaty may identify other additional detailed powers and functions of the
Joint Commission.
iii. Except as provided for in Article 8(c), the
commissioners of either Australia or East Timor may at any time refer a matter
to the Ministerial Council for resolution.
iv. The Joint Commission shall
meet annually or as may be required. Its meetings shall be chaired by a member
nominated by Australia and East Timor on an alternate basis.
(d) Ministerial
Council:
i. The Ministerial Council shall consist of an equal number of
Ministers from Australia and East Timor. It shall consider any matter relating
to the operation of this Treaty that is referred to it by either Australia or
East Timor. It shall also consider any matter referred to in
sub-paragraph (c) (iii).
ii. In the event the Ministerial Council is
unable to resolve a matter, either Australia or East Timor may invoke the
dispute resolution procedure set out in Annex B.
iii. The Ministerial Council
shall meet at the request of either Australia or East Timor or at the request
of the Joint Commission.
iv. Unless otherwise agreed between Australia and
East Timor, meetings of the Ministerial Council where at least one member
representing Australia and one member representing East Timor are physically
present shall be held alternately in Australia and East Timor. Its meetings
shall be chaired by a representative of Australia or East Timor on an
alternate basis.
v. The Ministerial Council may, if it so chooses, permit
members to participate in a particular meeting, or all meetings, by telephone,
closed-circuit television or any other means of electronic communication, and
a member who so participates is to be regarded as being present at the
meeting. A meeting may be held solely by means of electronic communication.
(e) Commissioners of the Joint Commission and personnel of the Designated
Authority shall have no financial interest in any activity relating to
exploration for and exploitation of petroleum resources in the JPDA.
Article
7: Petroleum Mining Code
(a) Australia and East Timor shall negotiate an
agreed Petroleum Mining Code which shall govern the exploration, development
and exploitation of petroleum within the JPDA, as well as the export of
petroleum from the JPDA.
(b) In the event Australia and East Timor are unable
to conclude a Petroleum Mining Code by the date of entry into force of this
Treaty, the Joint Commission shall in its inaugural meeting adopt an interim
code to remain in effect until a Petroleum Mining Code is adopted in
accordance with paragraph (a).
Article 8: Pipelines
(a) The
construction and operation of a pipeline within the JPDA for the purposes of
exporting petroleum from the JPDA shall be subject to the approval of the
Joint Commission. Australia and East Timor shall consult on the terms and
conditions of pipelines exporting petroleum from the JPDA to the point of
landing.
(b) A pipeline landing in East Timor shall be under the jurisdiction
of East Timor. A pipeline landing in Australia shall be under the jurisdiction
of Australia.
(c) In the event a pipeline is constructed from the JPDA to the
territory of either Australia or East Timor, the country where the pipeline
lands may not object to or impede decisions of the Joint Commission regarding
a pipeline to the other country. Notwithstanding Article 6(c)(iii), the
Ministerial Council may not review or change any such decisions.
(d)
Paragraph (c) shall not apply where the effect of constructing a pipeline
from the JPDA to the other country would cause the supply of gas to be
withheld from a limited liability corporation or limited liability entity
which has obtained consent under this Treaty to obtain gas from a project in
the JPDA for contracts to supply gas for a specified period of time.
(e)
Neither Australia nor East Timor may object to, nor in any way impede, a
proposal to use floating gas to liquids processing and off-take in the JPDA on
a commercial basis where such proposal shall produce higher revenues to
Australia and East Timor from royalties and taxes earned from activities
conducted within the JPDA than would be earned if gas were transported by
pipeline.
(f) Paragraph (e) shall not apply where the effect of floating
gas to liquids processing and off-take in the JPDA would cause the supply of
gas to be withheld from a limited liability corporation or limited liability
entity which has obtained consent under this Treaty to obtain gas from the
JPDA for contracts to supply gas for a specified period of time.
(g)
Petroleum from the JPDA and from fields which straddle the boundaries of the
JPDA shall at all times have priority of carriage along any pipeline carrying
petroleum from and within the JPDA.
(h) There shall be open access to
pipelines for petroleum from the JPDA. The open access arrangements shall be
in accordance with good international regulatory practice. If Australia has
jurisdiction over the pipeline, it shall consult with East Timor over access
to the pipeline. If East Timor has jurisdiction over the pipeline, it shall
consult with Australia over access to the pipeline.
Article 9: Unitisation
(a) Any reservoir of petroleum that extends across the boundary of the JPDA
shall be treated as a single entity for management and development purposes.
(b) Australia and East Timor shall work expeditiously and in good faith to
reach agreement on the manner in which the deposit will be most effectively
exploited and on the equitable sharing of the benefits arising from such
exploitation.
Article 10: Marine environment
(a) Australia and East Timor
shall co-operate to protect the marine environment of the JPDA so as to
prevent and minimise pollution and other environmental harm from petroleum
activities. Special efforts shall be made to protect marine animals including
marine mammals, seabirds, fish and coral. Australia and East Timor shall
consult as to the best means to protect the marine environment of the JPDA
from the harmful consequences of petroleum activities.
(b) Where pollution of
the marine environment occurring in the JPDA spreads beyond the JPDA,
Australia and East Timor shall co-operate in taking action to prevent,
mitigate and eliminate such pollution.
(c) The Designated Authority shall
issue regulations to protect the marine environment in the JPDA. It shall
establish a contingency plan for combating pollution from petroleum activities
in the JPDA.
(d) Limited liability corporations or limited liability entities
shall be liable for damage or expenses incurred as a result of pollution of
the marine environment arising out of petroleum activities within the JPDA in
accordance with:
i. their contract, licence or permit or other form of
authority issued pursuant to this Treaty; and
ii. the law of the jurisdiction
(Australia or East Timor) in which the claim is brought.
Article 11:
Employment
(a) Australia and East Timor shall:
i. take appropriate measures
with due regard to occupational health and safety requirements to ensure that
preference is given in employment in the JPDA to nationals or permanent
residents of East Timor; and
ii. facilitate, as a matter of priority,
training and employment opportunities for East Timorese nationals and
permanent residents.
(b) Australia shall expedite and facilitate processing
of applications for visas through its Diplomatic Mission in Dili by East
Timorese nationals and permanent residents employed by limited liability
corporations or limited liability entities in Australia associated with
petroleum activities in the JPDA.
Article 12: Health and safety for workers
The Designated Authority shall develop, and limited liability corporations or
limited liability entities shall apply, occupational health and safety
standards and procedures for persons employed on structures in the JPDA that
are no less effective than those standards and procedures that would apply to
persons employed on similar structures in Australia and East Timor. The
Designated Authority may adopt, consistent with this Article, standards and
procedures taking into account an existing system established under the law of
either Australia or East Timor.
Article 13: Application of taxation law
(a)
For the purposes of taxation law related directly or indirectly to:
i. the
exploration for or the exploitation of petroleum in the JPDA; or
ii. acts,
matters, circumstances and things touching, concerning arising out of or
connected with such exploration and exploitation
the JPDA shall be deemed to
be, and treated by, Australia and East Timor, as part of that country.
(b)
The taxation code to provide relief from double taxation relating to petroleum
activities is set out in Annex G.
(c) The taxation code contains its own
dispute resolution mechanism. Article 23 of this Treaty shall not apply to
disputes covered by that mechanism.
Article 14: Criminal jurisdiction
(a) A
national or permanent resident of Australia or East Timor shall be subject to
the criminal law of that country in respect of acts or omissions occurring in
the JPDA connected with or arising out of exploration for and exploitation of
petroleum resources, provided that a permanent resident of Australia or East
Timor who is a national of the other country shall be subject to the criminal
law of the latter country.
(b) Subject to paragraph (d), a national of a
third state, not being a permanent resident of either Australia or East Timor,
shall be subject to the criminal law of both Australia and East Timor in
respect of acts or omissions occurring in the JPDA connected with or arising
out of petroleum activities. Such a person shall not be subject to criminal
proceedings under the law of either Australia or East Timor if he or she has
already been tried and discharged or acquitted by a competent tribunal or
already undergone punishment for the same act or omission under the law of the
other country or where the competent authorities of one country, in accordance
with its law, have decided in the public interest to refrain from prosecuting
the person for that act or omission.
(c) In cases referred to in
paragraph (b), Australia and East Timor shall, as and when necessary,
consult each other to determine which criminal law is to be applied, taking
into account the nationality of the victim and the interests of the country
most affected by the alleged offence.
(d) The criminal law of the flag state
shall apply in relation to acts or omissions on board vessels including
seismic or drill vessels in, or aircraft in flight over, the JPDA.
(e)
Australia and East Timor shall provide assistance to and co-operate with each
other, including through agreements or arrangements as appropriate, for the
purposes of enforcement of criminal law under this Article, including the
obtaining of evidence and information.
(f) Both Australia and East Timor
recognise the interest of the other country where a victim of an alleged
offence is a national of that other country and shall keep that other country
informed, to the extent permitted by its law, of action being taken with
regard to the alleged offence.
(g) Australia and East Timor may make
arrangements permitting officials of one country to assist in the enforcement
of the criminal law of the other country. Where such assistance involves the
detention of a person who under paragraph (a) is subject to the
jurisdiction of the other country that detention may only continue until it is
practicable to hand the person over to the relevant officials of that other
country.
Article 15: Customs, quarantine and migration
(a) Australia and
East Timor may, subject to paragraphs (c), (e), (f) and (g), apply
customs, migration and quarantine laws to persons, equipment and goods
entering its territory from, or leaving its territory for, the JPDA. Australia
and East Timor may adopt arrangements to facilitate such entry and departure.
(b) Limited liability corporations or other limited liability entities shall
ensure, unless otherwise authorised by Australia or East Timor, that persons,
equipment and goods do not enter structures in the JPDA without first entering
Australia or East Timor, and that their employees and the employees of their
subcontractors are authorised by the Designated Authority to enter the JPDA.
(c) Either country may request consultations with the other country in
relation to the entry of particular persons, equipment and goods to structures
in the JPDA aimed at controlling the movement of such persons, equipment or
goods.
(d) Nothing in this Article prejudices the right of either Australia
or East Timor to apply customs, migration and quarantine controls to persons,
equipment and goods entering the JPDA without the authority of either country.
Australia and East Timor may adopt arrangements to co-ordinate the exercise of
such rights.
(e) Goods and equipment entering the JPDA for purposes related
to petroleum activities shall not be subject to customs duties.
(f) Goods and
equipment leaving or in transit through either Australia or East Timor for the
purpose of entering the JPDA for purposes related to petroleum activities
shall not be subject to customs duties.
(g) Goods and equipment leaving the
JPDA for the purpose of being permanently transferred to a part of either
Australia or East Timor may be subject to customs duties of that country.
Article 16: Hydrographic and seismic surveys
(a) Australia and East Timor
shall have the right to carry out hydrographic surveys to facilitate petroleum
activities in the JPDA. Australia and East Timor shall co-operate on:
i. the
conduct of such surveys, including the provision of necessary on-shore
facilities; and
ii. exchanging hydrographic information relevant to petroleum
activities in the JPDA.
(b) For the purposes of this Treaty, Australia and
East Timor shall co-operate in facilitating the conduct of seismic surveys in
the JPDA, including in the provision of necessary on-shore facilities.
Article 17: Petroleum industry vesselsafety, operating standards and
crewing
Except as otherwise provided in this Treaty, vessels of the
nationality of Australia or East Timor engaged in petroleum activities in the
JPDA shall be subject to the law of their nationality in relation to safety
and operating standards and crewing regulations. Vessels with the nationality
of other countries shall apply the law of Australia or East Timor depending on
whose ports they operate, in relation to safety and operating standards, and
crewing regulations. Such vessels that enter the JPDA and do not operate out
of either Australia or East Timor under the law of both Australia or East
Timor shall be subject to the relevant international safety and operating
standards.
Article 18: Surveillance
(a) For the purposes of this Treaty,
Australia and East Timor shall have the right to carry out surveillance
activities in the JPDA.
(b) Australia and East Timor shall co-operate on and
co-ordinate any surveillance activities carried out in accordance with
paragraph (a).
(c) Australia and East Timor shall exchange information
derived from any surveillance activities carried out in accordance with
paragraph (a).
Article 19: Security measures
(a) Australia and East
Timor shall exchange information on likely threats to, or security incidents
relating to, exploration for and exploitation of petroleum resources in the
JPDA.
(b) Australia and East Timor shall make arrangements for responding to
security incidents in the JPDA.
Article 20: Search and rescue
Australia and
East Timor shall, at the request of the Designated Authority and consistent
with this Treaty, co-operate on and assist with search and rescue operations
in the JPDA taking into account generally accepted international rules,
regulations and procedures established through competent international
organisations.
Article 21: Air traffic services
Australia and East Timor
shall, in consultation with the Designated Authority or at its request, and
consistent with this Treaty, co-operate in relation to the operation of air
services, the provision of air traffic services and air accident
investigations, within the JPDA, in accordance with national laws applicable
to flights to and within the JPDA, recognizing established international
rules, regulations and procedures where these have been adopted by Australia
and East Timor.
Article 22: Duration of the Treaty
This Treaty shall be in
force until there is a permanent seabed delimitation between Australia and
East Timor or for thirty years from the date of its entry into force,
whichever is sooner. This Treaty may be renewed by agreement between Australia
and East Timor. Petroleum activities of limited liability corporations or
other limited liability entities entered into under the terms of the Treaty
shall continue even if the Treaty is no longer in force under conditions
equivalent to those in place under the Treaty.
Article 23: Settlement of
Disputes
(a) With the exception of disputes falling within the scope of the
taxation code referred to in Article 13(b) of this Treaty and which shall be
settled in accordance with that code, any dispute concerning the
interpretation or application of this Treaty shall, as far as possible, be
settled by consultation or negotiation.
(b) Any dispute which is not settled
in the manner set out in paragraph (a) and any unresolved matter relating
to the operation of this Treaty under Article 6(d)(ii) shall, at the request
of either Australia or East Timor, be submitted to an arbitral tribunal in
accordance with the procedure set out in Annex B.
Article 24: Amendment
This
Treaty may be amended at any time by written agreement between Australia and
East Timor.
Article 25: Entry into force
(a) This Treaty shall enter into
force upon the day on which Australia and East Timor have notified each other
in writing that their respective requirements for entry into force of this
Treaty have been complied with.
(b) Upon entry into force, the Treaty will be
taken to have effect and all of its provisions will apply and be taken to have
applied on and from the date of signature.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the
undersigned, being duly authorised thereto by their respective Governments,
have signed this Treaty.
DONE at Dili, on this twentieth day of May, Two
thousand and two in two originals in the English language.
For the
Government of Australia
| For the Government of East Timor
|
John Howard
(Prime Minister) [Signature omitted]
| Mari Alkatiri (Prime Minister)
[Signature omitted]
|
Annex A under Article 3 of this Treaty
Designation and
Description of the JPDA
NOTE
Where for the purposes of the Treaty it is
necessary to determine the position on the surface of the Earth of a point,
line or area, that position shall be determined by reference to the Australian
Geodetic Datum, that is to say, by reference to a spheroid having its centre
at the centre of the Earth and a major (equatorial) radius of 6 378 160 metres
and a flattening of 1/298.25 and by reference to the position of the Johnston
Geodetic Station in the Northern Territory of Australia. That station shall be
taken to be situated at Latitude 25 o 56'54.5515" South and at Longitude 133 o
12'30.0771" East and to have a ground level of 571.2 metres above the spheroid
referred to above.
THE AREA
The area bounded by the line-
(a) commencing at
the point of Latitude 9deg. 22' 53" South, Longitude 127deg. 48' 42" East;
(b) running thence south-westerly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude
10deg. 06' 40" South, Longitude 126deg. 00' 25" East;
(c) thence
south-westerly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 10deg. 28' 00"
South, Longitude 126deg. 00' 00" East;
(d) thence south-easterly along the
geodesic to the point of Latitude 11deg. 20' 08" South, Longitude 126deg. 31'
54" East;
(e) thence north-easterly along the geodesic to the point of
Latitude 11deg. 19' 46" South, Longitude 126deg. 47' 04" East;
(f) thence
north-easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 11deg. 17' 36"
South, Longitude 126deg. 57' 07" East;
(g) thence north-easterly along the
geodesic to the point of Latitude 11deg. 17' 30" South, Longitude 126deg. 58'
13" East;
(h) thence north-easterly along the geodesic to the point of
Latitude 11deg. 14' 24" South, Longitude 127deg. 31' 33" East;
(i) thence
north-easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 10deg. 55' 26"
South, Longitude 127deg. 47' 04" East;
(j) thence north-easterly along the
geodesic to the point of Latitude 10deg. 53' 42" South, Longitude 127deg. 48'
45" East;
(k) thence north-easterly along the geodesic to the point of
Latitude 10deg. 43' 43" South, Longitude 127deg. 59' 16" East;
(l) thence
north-easterly along the geodesic to the point of Latitude 10deg. 29' 17"
South, Longitude 128deg. 12' 24" East;
(m) thence north-westerly along the
geodesic to the point of Latitude 9deg. 29' 57" South, Longitude 127deg. 58'
47" East;
(n) thence north-westerly along the geodesic to the point of
Latitude 9deg. 28' 00" South, Longitude 127deg. 56' 00" East; and
(o) thence
north-westerly along the geodesic to the point of commencement.
Annex B
under Article 23 of this Treaty
Dispute Resolution Procedure
(a) An arbitral
tribunal to which a dispute is submitted pursuant to Article 23 (b), shall
consist of three persons appointed as follows:
i. Australia and East Timor
shall each appoint one arbitrator;
ii. the arbitrators appointed by Australia
and East Timor shall, within sixty (60) days of the appointment of the second
of them, by agreement, select a third arbitrator who shall be a citizen, or
permanent resident of a third country which has diplomatic relations with both
Australia and East Timor;
iii. Australia and East Timor shall, within sixty
(60) days of the selection of the third arbitrator, approve the selection of
that arbitrator who shall act as Chairman of the Tribunal.
(b) Arbitration
proceedings shall be instituted upon notice being given through the diplomatic
channel by the country instituting such proceedings to the other country. Such
notice shall contain a statement setting forth in summary form the grounds of
the claim, the nature of the relief sought, and the name of the arbitrator
appointed by the country instituting such proceedings. Within sixty (60) days
after the giving of such notice the respondent country shall notify the
country instituting proceedings of the name of the arbitrator appointed by the
respondent country.
(c) If, within the time limits provided for in
sub-paragraphs (a) (ii) and (iii) and paragraph (b) of this Annex,
the required appointment has not been made or the required approval has not
been given, Australia or East Timor may request the President of the
International Court of Justice to make the necessary appointment. If the
President is a citizen or permanent resident of Australia or East Timor or is
otherwise unable to act, the Vice-President shall be invited to make the
appointment. If the Vice-President is a citizen, or permanent resident of
Australia or East Timor or is otherwise unable to act, the Member of the
International Court of Justice next in seniority who is not a citizen or
permanent resident of Australia or East Timor shall be invited to make the
appointment.
(d) In case any arbitrator appointed as provided for in this
Annex shall resign or become unable to act, a successor arbitrator shall be
appointed in the same manner as prescribed for the appointment of the original
arbitrator and the successor shall have all the powers and duties of the
original arbitrator.
(e) The Arbitral Tribunal shall convene at such time and
place as shall be fixed by the Chairman of the Tribunal. Thereafter, the
Arbitral Tribunal shall determine where and when it shall sit.
(f) The
Arbitral Tribunal shall decide all questions relating to its competence and
shall, subject to any agreement between Australia and East Timor, determine
its own procedure.
(g) Before the Arbitral Tribunal makes a decision, it may
at any stage of the proceedings propose to Australia and East Timor that the
dispute be settled amicably. The Arbitral Tribunal shall reach its award by
majority vote taking into account the provisions of this Treaty and relevant
international law.
(h) Australia and East Timor shall each bear the costs of
its appointed arbitrator and its own costs in preparing and presenting cases.
The cost of the Chairman of the Tribunal and the expenses associated with the
conduct of the arbitration shall be borne in equal parts by Australia and East
Timor.
(i) The Arbitral Tribunal shall afford to Australia and East Timor a
fair hearing. It may render an award on the default of either Australia or
East Timor. In any case, the Arbitral Tribunal shall render its award within
six (6) months from the date it is convened by the Chairman of the Tribunal.
Any award shall be rendered in writing and shall state its legal basis. A
signed counterpart of the award shall be transmitted to Australia and East
Timor.
(j) An award shall be final and binding on Australia and East Timor.
Annex C under Article 6(b)(v) of this Treaty
Powers and Functions of the
Designated Authority
The powers and functions of the Designated Authority
shall include:
(a) day-to-day management and regulation of petroleum
activities in accordance with this Treaty and any instruments made or entered
into under this Treaty, including directions given by the Joint Commission;
(b) preparation of annual estimates of income and expenditure of the
Designated Authority for submission to the Joint Commission. Any expenditure
shall only be made in accordance with estimates approved by the Joint
Commission or otherwise in accordance with regulations and procedures approved
by the Joint Commission;
(c) preparation of annual reports for submission to
the Joint Commission;
(d) requesting assistance from the appropriate
Australian and East Timor authorities consistent with this Treaty
i. for
search and rescue operations in the JPDA;
ii. in the event of a terrorist
threat to the vessels and structures engaged in petroleum operations in the
JPDA; and
iii. for air traffic services in the JPDA;
(e) requesting
assistance with pollution prevention measures, equipment and procedures from
the appropriate Australian and East Timor authorities or other bodies or
persons;
(f) establishment of safety zones and restricted zones, consistent
with international law, to ensure the safety of navigation and petroleum
operations;
(g) controlling movements into, within and out of the JPDA of
vessels, aircraft, structures and other equipment employed in exploration for
and exploitation of petroleum resources in a manner consistent with
international law; and, subject to Article 15, authorising the entry of
employees of contractors and their subcontractors and other persons into the
JPDA;
(h) issuing regulations and giving directions under this Treaty on all
matters related to the supervision and control of petroleum activities
including on health, safety, environmental protection and assessments and work
practices, pursuant to the Petroleum Mining Code; and
(i) such other powers
and functions as may be identified in other Annexes to this Treaty or as may
be conferred on it by the Joint Commission.
Annex D under Article 6(c)(ii)
of this Treaty
Powers and Functions of the Joint Commission
1. The powers
and functions of the Joint Commission shall include:
(a) giving directions to
the Designated Authority on the discharge of its powers and functions;
(b)
conferring additional powers and functions on the Designated Authority;
(c)
adopting an interim Petroleum Mining Code pursuant to Article 7(b) of the
Treaty, if necessary;
(d) approving financial estimates of income and
expenditure of the Designated Authority;
(e) approving rules, regulations and
procedures for the effective functioning of the Designated Authority;
(f)
designating the Designated Authority for the period referred to in Article
6(b)(i);
(g) at the request of a member of the Joint Commission inspecting
and auditing the Designated Authority's books and accounts or arranging for
such an audit and inspection;
(h) approving the result of inspections and
audits of contractors' books and accounts conducted by the Joint Commission;
(i) considering and adopting the annual report of the Designated Authority;
(j) of its own volition or on recommendation by the Designated Authority, in a
manner not inconsistent with the objectives of this Treaty amending the
Petroleum Mining Code to facilitate petroleum activities in the JPDA;
2. The
Joint Commission shall exercise its powers and functions for the benefit of
the peoples of Australia and East Timor having regard to good oilfield,
processing, transport and environmental practice.
Annex E under Article 9(b)
of this Treaty
Unitisation of Greater Sunrise
(a) Australia and East Timor
agree to unitise the Sunrise and Troubadour deposits (collectively known as
`Greater Sunrise') on the basis that 20.1% of Greater Sunrise lies within the
JPDA. Production from Greater Sunrise shall be distributed on the basis that
20.1% is attributed to the JPDA and 79.9% is attributed to Australia.
(b)
Either Australia or East Timor may request a review of the production sharing
formula. Following such a review, the production sharing formula may be
altered by agreement between Australia and East Timor.
(c) The unitisation
agreement referred to in paragraph (a) shall be without prejudice to a
permanent delimitation of the seabed between Australia and East Timor.
(d) In
the event of a permanent delimitation of the seabed, Australia and East Timor
shall reconsider the terms of the unitisation agreement referred to in
paragraph (a). Any new agreement shall preserve the terms of any
production sharing contract, licence or permit which is based on the agreement
in paragraph (a).
Annex F under Article 5(a) of this Treaty
Fiscal
Scheme for Certain Petroleum Deposits
Contracts shall be offered to those
corporations holding, immediately before entry into force of the Treaty,
contracts numbered 91-12, 91-13, 95-19, and 96-20 in the same terms as those
contracts, modified to take into account the administrative structure under
this Treaty, or as otherwise agreed by Australia and East Timor.
Annex G
under Article 13 (b) of this Treaty
Taxation Code for the Avoidance of Double
Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion in Respect of Activities
Connected with the Joint Petroleum Development Area
Article 1
General
definitions
1. In this Taxation Code, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) the term "Australian tax" means tax imposed by Australia, other than any
penalty or interest, being tax to which this Taxation Code applies;
(b) the
term "company" means any body corporate or any entity which is treated as a
company or body corporate for tax purposes;
(c) the term "competent
authority" means, in the case of Australia, the Commissioner of Taxation or an
authorised representative of the Commissioner and, in the case of East Timor,
the Minister for Finance or an authorised representative of the Minister;
(d)
the term "East Timor tax" means tax imposed by East Timor, other than any
penalty or interest, being tax to which this Taxation Code applies;
(e) the
term "framework percentage" means, in the case of Australia, ten (10) percent
and, in the case of East Timor, ninety (90) percent;
(f) the term "law of a
Contracting State" means the law from time to time in force in that
Contracting State relating to the taxes to which this Taxation Code applies;
(g) the term "person" includes an individual, a company and any other body of
persons;
(h) the term "reduction percentage" means, in the case of Australia,
ninety (90) percent and, in the case of East Timor, ten (10) percent;
(i) the
terms "tax" or "taxation" mean Australian tax or East Timor tax, as the
context requires; and
(j) the term "year" means, in Australia, any year of
income and, in East Timor, any tax year.
2. In the application of this
Taxation Code at any time by a Contracting State any term not defined in this
Taxation Code or elsewhere in the Treaty shall, unless the context otherwise
requires, have the meaning which it has at that time under the law of that
Contracting State for the purposes of the taxes to which this Taxation Code
applies, any meaning under the applicable tax law of that State prevailing
over a meaning given to the term under other law of that State.
Article 2
Personal scope
The provisions of this Taxation Code shall apply to persons who are residents
of one or both of the Contracting States as well as in respect of persons who
are not residents of either of the Contracting States, but only for taxation
purposes related directly or indirectly to:
(a) the exploration for or the
exploitation of petroleum in the JPDA; or
(b) acts, matters, circumstances
and things touching, concerning, arising out of or connected with any such
exploration or exploitation.
Article 3
Resident
1. For the purposes of this
Taxation Code, resident of a Contracting State means:
(a) in the case of
Australia, a person who is liable to tax in Australia by reason of being a
resident of Australia under the tax law of Australia; and
(b) in the case of
East Timor, a person who is liable to tax in East Timor by reason of being a
resident of East Timor under the tax law of East Timor,
but does not include
any person who is liable to tax in that Contracting State in respect only of
income from sources in that Contracting State.
2. Where by reason of the
provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article, an individual is a resident of both
Contracting States, then the status of the person shall be determined as
follows:
(a) the person shall be deemed to be a resident solely of the
Contracting State in which a permanent home is available to the person;
(b)
if a permanent home is available to the person in both Contracting States, or
in neither of them, the person shall be deemed to be a resident solely of the
Contracting State in which the person has an habitual abode;
(c) if the
person has an habitual abode in both Contracting States, or if the person does
not have an habitual abode in either of them, the person shall be deemed to be
a resident solely of the Contracting State with which the person's personal
and economic relations are the closer. For the purposes of this subparagraph,
an individual's nationality or citizenship of one of the Contracting States
shall be a factor in determining the degree of the individual's personal and
economic relations with that Contracting State;
(d) if it cannot be
determined with which Contracting State the person's personal and economic
relations are the closer, the competent authorities of the Contracting States
shall consult with a view to settling the question by mutual agreement.
3.
Where by reason of the provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article, a person
other than an individual is a resident of both Contracting States, then it
shall be deemed to be a resident solely of the Contracting State in which its
place of effective management is situated.
Article 4
Taxes covered
1. The
existing taxes to which this Taxation Code shall apply are:
(a) in Australia:
(i) the income tax, but excluding the petroleum resource rent tax;
(ii) the
fringe benefits tax;
(iii) the goods and services tax; and
(iv) the
superannuation guarantee charge,
imposed under the federal law of Australia;
(b) in East Timor:
(i) the income tax, including either the tax on profits
after income tax or the additional profits tax, as applicable to a specified
petroleum project or part of a project;
(ii) the value added tax and sales
tax on luxury goods ("value added tax"); and
(iii) the sales tax,
imposed under the law of East Timor.
2. The provisions of this Taxation Code
shall also apply to any identical or substantially similar taxes which are
imposed after the date of signature of this Treaty in addition to, or in place
of, the existing taxes. The competent authorities of the Contracting States
shall notify each other of any relevant changes which have been made in their
respective taxation law as soon as possible after such changes.
3. A
Contracting State shall not impose a tax not covered by the provisions of the
Taxation Code in respect of or applicable to:
(a) the exploration for or
exploitation of petroleum in the JPDA; or
(b) any petroleum exploration or
exploitation related activity carried on in the JPDA,
unless the other
Contracting State consents to the imposition of that tax.
4. Nothing in
paragraph 3 of this Article shall be taken to prevent a Contracting State from
imposing, in accordance with its law, penalty or interest charges relating to
the taxes covered by this Taxation Code.
Article 5
Business profits
1. For
the purposes of the taxation law of each Contracting State, the business
profits or losses of a person, other than an individual, derived from, or
incurred in, the JPDA in a year shall be reduced by the reduction percentage.
2. (a) Business profits or losses derived from the JPDA in a year by an
individual who is a resident of a Contracting State may be taxed in both
Contracting States as reduced by the reduction percentage.
(b) Notwithstanding subparagraph 2(a), the Contracting State of which the
individual is a resident may tax those profits or recognise those
losses without such reduction. In such a case, that Contracting State
shall provide a tax offset against the tax payable on those profits by
the individual in that State for the tax paid in the other Contracting
State.
3. Business profits derived from the JPDA in a year by an
individual who is not a resident of either Contracting State may be
taxed in both Contracting States but subject to a rebate entitlement
against the tax payable in each Contracting State of the reduction
percentage of the gross tax payable on those profits in that
Contracting State.
4. Business losses, incurred in the JPDA in a year
by an individual who is not a resident of either Contracting State,
that are eligible under the law of a Contracting State to be carried
forward for deduction against future income shall, for the purposes of
that law, be reduced by the reduction percentage.
5. Where losses are
brought forward from prior years as a deduction, those losses may not
also be taken into account when calculating the business profits or
business losses for the year in which they are brought forward as a
deduction.
6. Where profits include items of income which are dealt
with separately in other Articles of this Taxation Code or where
losses are dealt with separately in other Articles of this Taxation
Code, then the provisions of those Articles shall not be affected by
the provisions of this Article.
7. In establishing whether business
profits are derived from the JPDA for the purposes of this Article,
regard is to be had to internationally accepted principles on the
source of business profits, particularly taking into consideration the
extent to which activities in the JPDA, or assets located in the JPDA,
rather than elsewhere, contributed to those business profits. In
applying such internationally accepted principles special regard shall
be had to the location of:
(a) any activities or functions
contributing to the business profits;
(b) any assets relevant to the
derivation of the business profits; and
(c) any business and
financial risks assumed by an entity and which relate to the business
profits.
8. For the purposes of paragraph 7, particular account
should be had to the terms of any relevant unitisation agreement to
the extent to which they do not conflict with the internationally
accepted principles referred to in that paragraph.
9. In determining
whether business losses are incurred in the JPDA, regard is to be had
to internationally accepted principles as to where business losses are
incurred, with a view to an approach consistent with paragraphs 7 and
8 of this Article.
10. Where particular business profits are derived
wholly or principally from the JPDA, or particular business losses are
incurred wholly or principally in the JPDA, then such profits or
losses shall be treated as fully derived from or fully incurred in, as
the case may be, the JPDA. In other cases, the relevant proportion
should be attributed to the JPDA. In the application of this paragraph
the Contracting States shall seek a consistent approach, including as
between the treatment of profits and losses, and should consult if
necessary to this end.
11. For the purposes of this Taxation Code,
the East Timor additional profits tax shall be regarded as a tax on
business profits.
Article 6
Shipping and air transport
1. Profits
from all shipping and air transport, where the transport of the
relevant goods or persons commences at a place in the JPDA to any
other place, whether inside or outside the JPDA, shall in their
entirety be regarded as business profits derived from the JPDA.
2.
Profits from all shipping and air transport internal to the JPDA,
shall in their entirety be regarded as business profits derived from
the JPDA.
3. Profits from all shipping and air transport, where the
transport of the relevant goods or persons commences outside the JPDA,
and ends in the JPDA, shall not be regarded as derived from the JPDA.
Article 7
Petroleum Valuation
The value of petroleum shall for all purposes under the taxation law of both
Contracting States be the value as determined in accordance with
internationally accepted arm's length principles having due regard to
functions performed, assets used and risks assumed.
Article 8
Dividends
1.
Dividends paid or credited by a company which is a resident of a Contracting
State wholly or mainly out of profits, income or gains derived from sources in
the JPDA, and which are beneficially owned by a resident of the other
Contracting State, may be taxed in that other Contracting State. However, such
dividends may also be taxed in the first-mentioned Contracting State and
according to the law of that State, but the tax so charged shall not exceed
fifteen (15) per cent of the gross amount of the dividends.
2. Dividends paid
or credited by a company which is a resident of a Contracting State wholly or
mainly out of profits, income or gains derived from sources in the JPDA, and
which are beneficially owned by a resident of that Contracting State, shall be
taxable only in that State.
3. Dividends paid or credited by a company which
is a resident of a Contracting State wholly or mainly out of profits, income
or gains derived from sources in the JPDA, and which are beneficially owned by
a person who is not a resident of either Contracting State, may be taxed in
both Contracting States but the taxable amount of any such dividends shall be
an amount equivalent to the framework percentage of the amount that would be
the taxable amount but for this paragraph.
4. The term "dividends" as used in
this Article means income from shares or other rights participating in profits
and not relating to debt claims, as well as other income which is subjected to
the same taxation treatment as income from shares by the law of the
Contracting State of which the company making the distribution is a resident.
5. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Taxation Code, where a company
which is a resident of a Contracting State derives profits, income or gains
from the JPDA, such profits, income or gains may be subject in the other
Contracting State to a tax on profits after income tax in accordance with its
law, but such tax shall not exceed fifteen (15) per cent of the gross amount
of such profits, income or gains after deducting from those profits, income or
gains the income tax imposed on them in that other State. Such tax shall be
imposed upon the amount equivalent to the framework percentage of the amount
that would be taxed but for this paragraph.
6. For the purposes of this
Article, "derived from" has the same meaning as expressed in Article 5.
Article 9
Interest
1. Interest paid or credited by a contractor, being
interest to which a resident of a Contracting State is beneficially entitled,
may be taxed in that Contracting State.
2. Such interest may also be taxed in
the other Contracting State, but the tax so charged shall not exceed ten (10)
per cent of the gross amount of the interest.
3. Interest paid or credited by
a contractor, being interest to which a person who is not a resident of either
Contracting State is beneficially entitled, may be taxed in both Contracting
States but the taxable amount of any such interest shall be an amount
equivalent to the framework percentage of the amount that would be the taxable
amount but for this paragraph.
4. The term "interest" in this Taxation Code,
includes interest from bonds or debentures, whether or not secured by mortgage
and whether or not carrying a right to participate in profits, interest from
any form of indebtedness and all other income assimilated to income from money
lent by law, relating to tax, of the Contracting State in which the income
arises.
Article 10
Royalties
1. Royalties paid or credited by a contractor,
being royalties to which a resident of a Contracting State is beneficially
entitled, may be taxed in that Contracting State.
2. Such royalties may also
be taxed in the other Contracting State, but the tax so charged shall not
exceed ten (10) per cent of the gross amount of the royalties.
3. Royalties
paid or credited by a contractor, being royalties to which a person who is not
a resident of either Contracting State is beneficially entitled, may be taxed
in both Contracting States but the taxable amount of any such royalties shall
be an amount equivalent to the framework percentage of the amount that would
be the taxable amount but for this paragraph.
4. The term "royalties" in this
Article means payments or credits, whether periodical or not, and however
described or computed, to the extent to which they are made as consideration
for:
(a) the use of, or the right to use, any copyright, patent, design or
model, plan, secret formula or process, trademark or other like property or
right;
(b) the use of, or the right to use, any industrial, commercial or
scientific equipment;
(c) the supply of scientific, technical, industrial or
commercial knowledge or information;
(d) the supply of any assistance that is
ancillary and subsidiary to, and is furnished as a means of enabling the
application or enjoyment of, any such property or right as is mentioned in
subparagraph (a), any such equipment as is mentioned in
subparagraph (b) or any such knowledge or information as is mentioned in
subparagraph (c); or
(e) total or partial forbearance in respect of the
use or supply of any property or right referred to in this paragraph.
Article
11
Alienation of property
1. Where a gain or loss of a capital nature
accrues to or is incurred by a person, other than an individual who is a
resident of a Contracting State, from the alienation of property situated in
the JPDA or of shares or comparable interests in a company, the assets of
which consist (directly or indirectly, including for example through a chain
of companies), wholly or principally of property situated in the JPDA, the
amount of gain or loss shall, for the purposes of the law of a Contracting
State, be an amount equivalent to the framework percentage of the amount that
would be the gain or loss but for this paragraph.
2. When a gain or loss of a
capital nature accrues to or is incurred by an individual who is a resident of
a Contracting State, from the alienation of property situated in the JPDA or
of shares or comparable interests in a company, the assets of which consist
(directly or indirectly, including for example through a chain of companies),
wholly or mainly of property situated in the JPDA, the amount of the gain or
loss may, for the purposes of the law of a Contracting State, be an amount
equivalent to the reduction percentage of the amount that would be the gain or
loss but for this paragraph.
3. Notwithstanding paragraph 2, the Contracting
State of which the individual is a resident may tax that gain or recognise
that loss of a capital nature without such reduction. In such a case, that
Contracting State shall provide a tax offset against the tax payable on that
gain by the individual in that other Contracting State.
Article 12
Independent personal services
1. Income derived by an individual who is a
resident of a Contracting State in respect of professional services, or other
independent activities of a similar character, performed in the JPDA may be
taxed in both Contracting States as reduced by the reduction percentage.
2.
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Contracting State of which the
individual is a resident may tax such income without such reduction. In such a
case, that Contracting State shall provide a tax offset against the tax
payable on that income by the individual in that State for the tax paid in the
other Contracting State.
3. Income derived by an individual who is not a
resident of either Contracting State in respect of professional services, or
other independent activities of a similar character, performed in the JPDA may
be taxed in both Contracting States but subject to a rebate entitlement
against the tax payable in each Contracting State of the reduction percentage
of the gross tax payable in that Contracting State on income referred to in
this paragraph.
Article 13
Dependent personal services
1. Salaries, wages
and other similar remuneration derived by an individual who is a resident of a
Contracting State in respect of employment exercised in the JPDA may be taxed
in both Contracting States as reduced by the reduction percentage.
2.
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Contracting State in which the
individual is a resident may tax such remuneration without such reduction. In
such a case, that State shall provide a tax offset against the tax payable on
such remuneration by the individual in that Contracting State for the tax paid
in the other Contracting State.
3. Remuneration derived by an individual who
is not a resident of either Contracting State in respect of employment
exercised in the JPDA may be taxed in both Contracting States but subject to a
rebate entitlement against the tax payable in each Contracting State of the
reduction percentage of the gross tax payable in that Contracting State on the
income referred to in this paragraph.
Article 14
Other income
1. Items of
income of a resident of a Contracting State other than an individual, derived
from sources in the JPDA and not dealt with in the foregoing Articles of this
Taxation Code, shall be reduced by the reduction percentage.
2. Items of
income of a resident individual of a Contacting State derived from sources in
the JPDA and not dealt with in the foregoing Articles of this Taxation Code,
may be taxed in both Contracting States as reduced by the reduction
percentage.
3. Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the Contracting State in
which the individual is a resident may tax such items of income without such
reduction. In such a case, that State shall provide a tax offset against the
tax payable on those items of income by the individual in that State for the
tax paid in the other Contracting State.
4. Items of income of a person who
is not a resident of either Contracting State, derived from sources in the
JPDA and not dealt with in the foregoing Articles of this Taxation Code may be
taxed in both Contracting States but subject to a rebate entitlement against
the tax payable in each Contracting State of the reduction percentage of the
gross tax payable in that Contracting State on the income referred to in this
paragraph.
5. For the purposes of this Article, "derived from" has the same
meaning as expressed in Article 5.
Article 15
Fringe benefits
For the purposes of the taxation law of Australia, the amount of Australian
fringe benefits tax payable in relation to fringe benefits provided to
employees in a year, in respect of employment exercised in the JPDA, shall be:
(a) in the case of such employees who are residents of Australia, the fringe
benefits tax may be applied without reduction;
(b) in respect of employees
who are residents of East Timor, the fringe benefits tax shall not be applied;
and
(c) in respect of employees who are not residents of either Contracting
State, the amount payable shall be reduced by the reduction percentage.
Article 16
Superannuation guarantee charge
The superannuation guarantee charge imposed by Australia in respect of
employment exercised in the JPDA in a year may be applied only in so far as it
relates to employees who are residents of Australia, in which case it may be
applied without reduction.
Article 17
Miscellaneous
In any case where income, profits or gains are not derived from the JPDA as
that term is used in Article 5, for the purposes of this Code, neither
Contracting State shall tax those income, profits or gains on a basis, in
effect, of their source in the JPDA.
Article 18
Indirect taxes
Goods introduced into the JPDA, whether or not from a Contracting State, and
services provided to a person in the JPDA, may, at or following introduction,
be taxed in both Contracting States in accordance with applicable Australian
goods and services tax law or the East Timor value added tax or sales tax law
as the case may be, but the taxable amount in relation to such goods and
services shall be an amount equivalent to the framework percentage of the
amount that would be the taxable amount but for this paragraph.
Article 19
Avoidance of double taxation
1. In the case of Australia, subject to the
provisions of the law of Australia from time to time in force which relate to
the allowance of a credit against Australian tax of tax paid in a country
outside Australia (which shall not affect the general principle of this
Article), East Timor tax paid under the law of East Timor and in accordance
with this Taxation Code, whether directly or by deduction, in respect of
income derived by a person who is a resident of Australia of the following
types:
(a) dividends paid wholly or mainly out of profits, income or gains as
referred to in paragraph 1 of Article 8;
(b) interest paid by a contractor as
referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 9;
(c) royalties paid by a contractor
as referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 10; or
(d) profits, income or gains
after income tax as referred to in paragraph 5 of Article 8,
shall be allowed
as a credit against Australian tax payable in respect of that income.
2. In
the case of East Timor, subject to the provisions of the law of East Timor
from time to time in force which relate to the allowance of a credit against
East Timor tax of tax paid in a country outside East Timor (which shall not
affect the general principle of this Article), Australian tax paid under the
law of Australia and in accordance with this Taxation Code, whether directly
or by deduction, in respect of income derived by a person who is a resident of
East Timor of the following types:
(a) dividends paid wholly or mainly out of
profits, income or gains as referred to in paragraph 1 of Article 8;
(b)
interest paid by a contractor as referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 9;
(c)
royalties paid by a contractor as referred to in paragraph 2 of Article 10; or
(d) profits, income or gains after income tax as referred to in paragraph 5 of
Article 8,
shall be allowed as a credit against East Timor tax payable in
respect of that income.
3. The dividends, interest or royalties taxed by a
Contracting State in accordance with the provisions of this Taxation Code and
referred to in this Article shall for the purposes of determining a foreign
tax credit entitlement under the law of the other Contracting State, be deemed
to be income derived from sources in the first-mentioned Contracting State.
Article 20
Mutual agreement procedure
1. Where a person considers that the
actions of the competent authority of one or both of the Contracting States
result or will result for the person in taxation not in accordance with the
provisions of this Taxation Code, the person may, irrespective of the remedies
provided by the domestic law of the Contracting States, present a case to the
competent authority of the Contracting State of which the person is a
resident, or to either competent authority in the case of persons who are not
residents of either Contracting State. The case must be presented within
thirty-six (36) months from the first notification of the action resulting in
taxation not in accordance with the provisions of the Taxation Code.
2. The
competent authority shall endeavour, if the claim appears to it to be
justified and if it is not itself able to arrive at a satisfactory solution,
to resolve the case by agreement with the competent authority of the other
Contracting State, with a view to the avoidance of taxation which is not in
accordance with the provisions of this Taxation Code. Any agreement reached
shall be implemented notwithstanding any time limits in the domestic law of
the Contracting States.
3. In considering whether the actions of a
Contracting State are or are not in accordance with the provisions of this
Taxation Code for the purposes of this Article, particular regard is to be had
to the objects and purposes of this Taxation Code, including especially that
of the avoidance of double taxation.
4. The competent authorities of the
Contracting States shall jointly endeavour to resolve any difficulties or
doubts arising as to the interpretation or application of this Taxation Code.
The competent authorities of the Contracting States may meet from time to time
or otherwise communicate for the purposes of discussing the operation and
application of this Taxation Code. They may also consult together in relation
to juridical or economic double taxation in cases not specifically provided
for in this Taxation Code.
5. For the purposes of paragraph 3 of Article XXII
(Consultation) of the General Agreement on Trade in Services, the Contracting
States agree that, notwithstanding that paragraph, any dispute between them as
to whether a measure falls within the scope of this Taxation Code may be
brought before the Council for Trade in Services, as provided by that
paragraph, only with the consent of both Contracting States. Any doubt as to
the interpretation of this paragraph shall be resolved under paragraph 4 of
this Article or, failing agreement under that procedure, pursuant to any other
procedure agreed to by both Contracting States.
Article 21
Exchange of
information
1. The competent authorities of the Contracting States shall
exchange such information as is necessary for carrying out the provisions of
this Taxation Code or of the domestic law of the Contracting States concerning
taxes covered by this Taxation Code, insofar as the taxation thereunder is not
contrary to this Taxation Code, in particular for the prevention of avoidance
or evasion of such taxes. Any information received by the competent authority
of a Contracting State shall be treated as secret in the same manner as
information obtained under the domestic law of that Contracting State and
shall be disclosed only to persons or authorities (including courts and
administrative bodies) involved in the assessment or collection of, the
enforcement or prosecution in respect of, or the determination of appeals in
relation to, the taxes covered by this Taxation Code and shall be used only
for such purposes. Such persons or authorities may disclose the information in
public courts or tribunal proceedings or in judicial or tribunal decisions
relating to taxes covered by this Taxation Code.
2. In no case shall the
provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article be construed so as to impose on the
competent authority of a Contracting State the obligation:
(a) to carry out
administrative measures at variance with the law or the administrative
practice of that or of the other Contracting State;
(b) to supply information
which is not obtainable under the law or in the normal course of the
administration of that or of the other Contracting State; or
(c) to supply
information which would disclose any trade, business, industrial, commercial
or professional secret or trade process, or to supply information the
disclosure of which would be contrary to public policy.
Article 22
Interaction with other taxation arrangements
Nothing in this Taxation Code is intended to limit the operation of a taxation
arrangement concluded by either Contracting State with a third country or
territory unless so provided for in such treaty.
Article 23
Transitional
provisions
1. Business losses incurred in the JPDA by a person in a year
previous to the year in which this Taxation Code enters into force and
business losses apportionable in accordance with paragraph 2 to that part of
the year prior to the date that this Taxation Code enters into domestic law
effect, may, for the purposes of the taxation law of a Contracting State and
in accordance with the provisions of that law, be carried forward for
deduction against income which is subject to the provisions of this Taxation
Code, in accordance with the provisions of this Taxation Code.
2. In the year
in which this Taxation Code enters into force the Contracting States shall
only apply the framework percentage or reduction percentage to that proportion
of income, losses and other items addressed by this Taxation Code which
corresponds to that portion of the period from the date of entry into domestic
law effect to the end of the year.
Article 24
Review mechanism
At the request of either of the Contracting States, the Contracting States
shall review the terms and operations of this Taxation Code with a view to
amending the Taxation Code, if considered necessary.
Article 25
Entry into
force
This Taxation Code shall enter into force at the same time as the Treaty to
which it forms part.
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