Time to Draw the Line (ATOM Study Guide)

Time to Draw the Line (Amanda King and Fabio Cavadini, 2016) is a 52-minute documentary revealing the largely overlooked story of a dispute between Australia and its near neighbour – the new nation of Timor-Leste (formerly East Timor).

There is no legally accepted boundary between the two countries. At issue is an area in the Timor Sea, rich in oil reserves. Timor-Leste wants the boundary to be drawn at the median line, half-way between the two countries. Australia wants it to be drawn at its extended continental shelf line, which will give Australia the bulk of the known oil supplies.

Australia's long connection to Timor-Leste reveals a chequered relationship of friendship and courage, mistrust and betrayal – from World War Two and the sacrifice of many Timorese in helping Australian soldiers against the brutal Japanese; through Australia's acceptance of Indonesian invasion and annexation of the area in 1975, and the subsequent killing of people and exploitation of the area for Indonesia's benefit; to the struggle for independence from 1999, when the world was too slow to react to the bloodshed and destruction that followed the vote; to Australian leadership of the United Nations peacekeeping force InterFET, which helped restore security to Timor-Leste; through to today's legal conflict between Australia and Timor-Leste.

The film unravels this David and Goliath struggle, and asks students to consider the morality and the practicality of Australia's international relations in this area.

Curriculum applicability
Time to Draw the Line is suitable for senior secondary students of:

• History (Australia in World War Two)
• Legal Studies (international laws and boundaries)
• Political Studies (Australia's relations with our neighbours)
• Civics and Citizenship (what does it mean to be a good international citizen?)
• Film and Media Studies (the documentary format)
• English (communicating effectively to an audience through film and cartoons)