DILI, 15 May 2026 (TATOLI) – President of the Republic, Jose Ramos-Horta held a courtesy meeting with the Chief Minister of Australia’s Northern Territory, Lia Finocchiaro, at the NT Parliament in Darwin. Taking place just before the President was awarded his Doctor Honoris Causa by Charles Darwin University, the dialogue reaffirmed the profound historical and institutional bonds between Timor-Leste and Darwin.
During the engagement, the Head of State highlighted Timor-Leste’s recent national progress, including economic growth, institutional stability, and its ongoing integration into ASEAN, setting the stage for discussions on expanding international opportunities for Timorese youth.
A central focus of the meeting was strengthening labor mobility and economic cooperation. Noting the Northern Territory’s ongoing need for foreign workforce reinforcement in strategic sectors, President Ramos-Horta actively advocated for an increase in employment quotas for Timorese citizens. While acknowledging that work visa frameworks remain under the jurisdiction of the Australian Federal Government, the President urged for greater flexibility and better conditions to help Timorese workers successfully meet the required visa criteria.
Furthermore, the President strongly defended the financial well-being of the Timorese diaspora by proposing vital measures to reduce their financial burdens in Australia.
President Ramos-Horta advocated for a review or potential exemption of applicable taxes and health insurance contributions to maximize the workers’ net income, thereby significantly boosting the positive impact of remittances on their families back home.
TATOLI
