Australian Tax Treaties

Timor-Leste (Timor Sea Maritime Boundaries Treaty)  

TREATY BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE ESTABLISHING THEIR MARITIME BOUNDARIES IN THE TIMOR SEA  

Annex B Greater Sunrise Special Regime  

ARTICLE 20   Criminal Jurisdiction  

1    
A national or permanent resident of Australia or Timor-Leste shall be subject to the criminal law of that country in respect of acts or omissions occurring in the Special Regime Area connected with or arising out of Petroleum Activities, provided that a permanent resident of Australia or Timor-Leste who is a national of the other country shall be subject to the criminal law of that country.

2    
Subject to paragraph 4 of this Article, a national of a third State, not being a national or permanent resident of either Australia or Timor-Leste, shall be subject to the criminal law of both Australia and Timor-Leste in respect of acts or omissions occurring in the Special Regime Area 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 Timor-Leste 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.

3    
In cases referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article, Australia and Timor-Leste 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.

4    
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 Special Regime Area.

5    
Australia and Timor-Leste 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.

6    
Both Australia and Timor-Leste 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.

7    
Australia and Timor-Leste 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 1 of this Article 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.




This information is provided by CCH Australia Limited Link opens in new window. View the disclaimer and notice of copyright.