[TimorLesteStudies] FW: "Taxing Times in Timor"

[Simon P J Batterbury]

From: Marcia Langton
Subject: "Taxing Times in Timor"

Dear colleagues

The ABC 4Corners television program

http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2012/09/27/3599022.htm


Is important coverage of taxation of resources in Timor Leste.


Timor-Leste's first task is to cut a deal with energy giant Woodside that would see a pipeline and a gas processing plant built on the country's southern shore. If that happens it would mean development, investment, construction and processing jobs, plus more money in taxes. There is a catch though. The company is playing hardball while the government claims the negotiations have involved bullying and double dealing.
As Four Corners discovered, the immediate battle is to audit the energy companies that the government claims are not paying their share of taxes. The centre of this struggle can be found in an office building where a small group of public servants have been meticulously going through contracts and tax returns. This is a contest the country's leaders say they cannot afford to lose, because if they do they will consign an entire country to poverty.

It was reported by Andrew Fowler and presented by Kerry O'Brien, goes to air on Monday 1st October at 8.30 pm on ABC 1. It is replayed on Tuesday 2nd October at 11.35 pm. It can also be seen Saturday at 8.00 pm on ABC News 24<http://www.abc.net.au/news/abcnews24/>, ABC iview <http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/series/four%20corners> and at abc.net.au/4corners<http://abc.net.au/4corners/episodes/>.



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