Australia and Timor-Leste to sign deal on contentious gasfield

New deal replaces previous attempt at treaty torn up after it emerged Timorese negotiators had been bugged

Australia and Timor-Leste are expected to sign a historic maritime border treaty in New York, after decades of talks dogged by acrimonious dealings and accusations of greed and espionage.

But negotiations remained bitter until the end, with former Timorese president and chief negotiator, Xanana Gusmao, accusing Australia of collusion and revealing no deal was reached on how to develop the resources.