And the big companies involved in developing multi-billion dollar gas fields have entered the fray, claiming East Timor is creating uncertainty and risk for investors.
East Timor has lodged an arbitration case against Australia to invalidate treaty arrangements which govern the shared resource.
It says it has proof Australia engaged in "covert operations" during the treaty negotiations.
Correspondent: Karon Snowdon
Speakers: Alfredo Pires, Timor Leste's Minister for Petroleum and Minerals; Gary Gray Minister Resources and Energy, Australia
SNOWDON: East Timor initiated arbitration in April over the 2006 treaty called Certain Maritime Arrangements in the Timor Sea or CMATS.
It splits revenue from the lucrative Greater Sunrise oil and gas field 50-50 between the two nations.
It also delays for fifty years any claims of jursidiction or deciding on a permanent maritime boundary.
East Timor is unhappy with the current boundary which favours Australia.
To invalidate CMATS East Timor is claiming Australia engaged in "covert operations" during its negotiation.
Timor's Minister for Petroleum and Resources Alfredo Pires says the claims of espionage against Australia are serious.
PIRES: During the negotiations for CMATS there were some covert operations on the part of Australia, which allowed Australia to obtain some confidential information from the Timor Leste side.
SNOWDON: What was the precise nature of that problem as you've identified it. Was it getting hold of documents they shouldn't have or was it wire tapping or what?
PIRES: This is very legal at the moment but its along those lines. What we're saying we will present the proof in due course.
SNOWDON: So documents or telephone tapping?
PIRES: Whatever evidence is required for us to prove that those things were carried out.
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