Peter Murphy
Peter Murphy is a journalist covering industrial relations and political economy issues, as well as engaging in anti-war and human rights advocacy in Timor-Leste, Zimbabwe, the Philippines and Western Asia. He is one of the original 78ers from Sydney’s first Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Peter's recent articles
17 October 2024
Timor-Leste President Ramos Horta pushes Australia on Greater Sunrise petroleum project
President José Ramos-Horta had a whirlwind visit to Sydney and Canberra on October 8-9, speaking to over 1,000 people at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall and to the National Press Club in Canberra, as well as ABC Radio National Breakfast. The Greater Sunrise petroleum project was one of many issues the President addressed.
7 August 2024
Ramos-Horta visit to Beijing pushes against US pressure, omits Greater Sunrise
On 29 July, 2024, Dr José Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste met in Beijing with Chinese People’s Republic President Xi Jinping to upgrade the relationship between the two countries to “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”. On the one hand Ramos Horta punctured Canberra fears of a Timor-Leste – China Security Agreement, but on the other, the Timorese leader firmly rejected US and Australian pressure about the status of Taiwan.
21 October 2023
Greater sunrise and the new Timor-Leste China Comprehensive Strategic Framework
Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos Horta has been pressing the Albanese government to somehow enable Woodside Petroleum to go forward with the development of the Greater Sunrise Gasfields and the processing of the gas on Timor-Lestes south coast. He says that his country could turn to China if Australia doesnt help. On September 23, 2023, Timor-Lestes Prime Minister Gusmo signed a Comprehensive Strategic Framework with China, thus increasing the pressure.
24 August 2023
Growing concern at Gusmos direction for Timor-Leste
Australias leading financial media platform, the Australian Financial Review, raised the red flag about the future of Timor-Leste this month, with International Editor Professor James Currans article, Timor-Leste on brink of failure.
29 July 2023
Timor-Leste: Gusmo government reverts to Tasi Mane petroleum project
Despite the adoption in early May this year of a new development plan by the last Timorese government, incoming Prime Minister Xanana Gusmo has declared that his government will implement the Strategic Development Plan adopted when he was Prime Minister in 2011. His calls for unity ring very hollow when he ignores the serious work of his predecessors.
30 January 2023
Timor-Leste shaping up for legislative elections
The Timor-Leste March 2022 Presidential elections gave a resounding win in the second round to Nobel Laureate Jose Ramos Horta, and this provided leverage for Xanana Gusmo in his efforts to wrest back the executive power he apologetically relinquished in February 2015.
5 December 2021
Covid diagnosis delays intellectually disabled man's execution again
Diagnosed with COVID-19, a man on death row in Singapore has been given another stay of execution, allowing international outcry to grow louder.
11 November 2021
Singapore hanging would be 'tantamount to executing a child'
An intellectually disabled man on death row in Singapore has won another short reprieve, but the global campaign to save him is growing.