Australia's bid for a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council is under threat due to its refusal to negotiate directly with East Timor over the disputed maritime boundary, says Xanana Gusmao, the former president of the fledgling state.
Mr Gusmao - still a hugely influential figure in East Timor and its government - told Fairfax Media that his country would not actively support Australia's bid. Many developing nations were alarmed by Australia's stance on the border in Timor Sea, which was denying tens of billions of dollars in oil and gas revenue that were rightfully East Timor's. 
"We will be there at the UN saying we don't think it's the right time for Australia to be there on the Human Rights Council," Mr Gusmao said. "How can Australia deny the rights of one people and one country - East Timor - if it wants to defend human rights.
"When we talk about human rights, we talk about it in a large context: the right to human life, the right to education, the right to health. It is everything. That's why it will be very difficult for Australia [to win a seat].
"We know many countries - small, poor - who have also been bullied by their big neighbours."
East Timor's position illustrates the deteriorating relations between the neighbouring states. During the previous Labor administration, East Timor lobbied hard for Australia when it sought a position on the Security Council, using its influence among emerging and Portuguese-language nations to woo them to Australia's cause.
The rebuff from East Timor comes as Australia's human rights credentials come under international scrutiny over its approach to processing asylum seekers offshore, especially after the closure of Manus Island's detention centre last week and Australia's refusal to resettle any of the asylum seekers left in limbo.
"The whole refugee issue is damaging Australia's international reputation," says Elaine Pearson, of Human Rights Watch.
Australia is putting in a huge effort to get on the human rights council, the UN body that monitors human rights in every country. Philip Ruddock - the veteran Liberal MP and former immigration minister - was appointed human rights envoy this year to guide the bid.
Mr Ruddock disputed the notion that disquiet among some nations about refugee policy and the boundary fracas with East Timor would cruel Australia's bid.
"There are a broad range of issues that are relevant before the human rights council," he said. Australia's bid would be built on its record of promoting the rights of women, the media and Indigenous communities, as well as its opposition to the death penalty.
The council has 47 members. Many - including Saudi Arabia, China and Qatar - have poor human rights records. Australia is in the "Western and others" grouping of nations. It is seen as being among three countries chasing two spots on the council from 2018 to 2020. France is considered a near certainty to win one slot; Australia and Spain battle for the other.
East Timor has taken Australia to the UN for "compulsory conciliation" over the border, frustrated by Australia's refusal to negotiate directly. Australia has until Monday to nominate two members to work on the five-member panel that will take 12 months to investigate the dispute and provide non-binding recommendations.