Australia looks to set up a 200-strong cohort of highly trained Pacific islands police officers to be sent to regional hotspots, under an ambitious initiative designed to strengthen the government’s strategic position in the region.
Australia moves to create new training centre for Pacific police deployed to regional crises, as China looks to strike policing dealsAustralia is moving to create a large training facility in Brisbane for Pacific islands police officers, who would be deployed in response to regional crises.
As part of the plan, the AFP is working to set up a large and sophisticated training facility in Pinkenba near Brisbane Airport, which would draw in rotations of police officers from across the Pacific. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has already announced that Australia and Papua New Guinea will set up a regional police recruitment and training centre in Port Moresby which could serve as a model.China sends security delegation to Tonga ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum, as Australian officials remain suspicious of its motives.
The Australian official said while Beijing was trying to "pick off" Pacific nations by striking bilateral policing agreements, the new initiative would be driven by the whole Pacific region and its key security priorities.The Pacific Policing Initiative will not be cheap, with an estimated price tag of more than $400 million, on top of the $317 million already provided to the AFP in the 2023-24 budget to help bolster Pacific engagement.
The ABC has been told that police chiefs across the region have been enthusiastic about the initiative and have been working with Australian officers to bed down how it will work. Tonga's Police Commissioner Shane McLennan told New Zealand media outlet 1News — which first revealed many of the details of the new initiative — that his officers were already working on implementation.Three Pacific ministers attend a high-level meeting on police cooperation between China and Pacific Island nations as Beijing continues its push to cement deeper security ties with the region.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said it was "aware of discussions to strengthen regional cooperation to ensure Pacific police forces have the capability they need to meet current and future internal security requirements and respond together in times of need".
Pacific Security China Pacific Policing National Security Defence Pat Conroy Pacific Policing Centre Brisbane
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pacific workers move from farms to service stations in expansion of Pacific Australia Labour Mobility schemeFijian nationals working in Australian service stations say it's a 'blessing' as the hospitality and retail sectors are next in line to recruit staff from Pacific nations.
Read more »
Fortunes of Australia's richest 200 people surge to $625 billionWhile the cost of eating and finding a home grew for many Australians, business was booming for the richest 200 people.
Read more »
Australia’s richest billionaire revealed in prolific top 200 listMining magnate Gina Rinehart has continued her reign as Australia’s wealthiest person, taking the top spot in the Australian Financial Review’s ‘Rich List’ for the fifth year in a row.
Read more »
Australia’s wealthiest 200 | Verdict’s election implicationsRead everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
Read more »
Hundreds of families left hanging as major school photography company closesAcademy Photography Australia&x27;s liquidation has affected about 200 schools.
Read more »
Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter cancellations follow news P&O Cruises brand is being retired7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »