Australia Strengthens Pacific Policing with New Centre in Brisbane

Local villagers hold a placard as they participate in a gathering near the Porgera Gold Mine in Porgera in the central highlands of Papua New Guinea on September 23, 2024, almost one week after police reinforcements were rushed to the area in a bid to quell tribal violence that shuttered the key gold mine. Days of tit-for-tat shootouts between hundreds of tribal warriors have left at least 32 people dead in the mine's vicinity. Hundreds more have been displaced by the violence. (Photo by AFP) Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images

Australia is bolstering law and order across the Pacific with the launch of a state-of-the-art training and education facility in Brisbane.

The Australian Federal Police-led centre was officially opened on Dec. 10 by Pacific leaders and Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus.

The facility will focus on training new police officers and will also act as a coordination hub, providing Pacific nations with additional support during major events or crises.

As part of a $400 million (US$257 million) regional policing initiative, up to four additional training centres of excellence are planned for various Pacific countries.

Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) Commissioner David Manning, who has implemented significant reforms in the region’s largest police force, will attend the opening in Pinkenba.

Manning has dismissed more than 400 officers—around 6 percent of the force—over the past two years due to incompetence, misconduct, corruption, and criminal activity.

“This is a sizeable number, but it had to be done,” Papua New Guinea (PNG) Internal Security Minister Peter Tsiamalili said. “The force is better off for it.”

Focus on Reform and Crime Prevention

Speaking at the PNG Investment Week summit, Tsiamalili said law and order is critical for attracting investment and ensuring PNG’s economic and social progress.

In addition to removing underperforming officers, senior PNG police have undergone management training in Sydney.

Leadership roles have also been opened to experienced officers from other Commonwealth nations. These initiatives, the minister noted, have boosted morale and strengthened the force’s capacity to combat crime.

“We’ve come a long way from the crime situation of decades past,” Tsiamalili said.

Australia-PNG Security Partnership Grows

The new Brisbane facility complements ongoing security and justice reforms under the Australia-PNG Bilateral Security Agreement.

Announced in December 2023, the agreement focuses on strengthening PNG’s internal security and law and justice systems.

It supports investigating and prosecuting financial crimes, improving access to justice for young people and remote communities, and making correctional facilities safer and more secure.

Additional efforts include enhanced stability in the PNG Highlands through better weapons management and partnerships addressing cyber threats, biosecurity, and gender-based violence.

“Already this year, we have broken ground to start delivering on a $37 million initiative to build police housing to help RPNGC get more police on the ground across PNG,” Dreyfus said.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong highlighted the importance of the partnership, stating, “Australia and PNG are working closely together to advance our shared priorities and ensure a peaceful, stable, prosperous Pacific.”

Recent developments include new police housing in Port Moresby and Mount Hagen, officer cadet placements with the Queensland Police Service, and the delivery of a police patrol vessel to enhance border security.

Wong said these initiatives demonstrated Australia’s commitment to regional stability.

Sustainable Training for Regional Policing

An opinion piece from the Lowy Institute highlights the need for sustainable policing training in the Pacific. It suggests embedding specialised units in national police academies to reduce reliance on costly, ad hoc programs.

Lessons from Fiji’s underutilised Pacific Peacekeeping Hub reveal the risks of mismatched visions and regional realities.

Effective training must address constraints on releasing officers for extended periods and include a “train-the-trainer” model to ensure local knowledge transfer.

Analysts argue replicating existing programs won’t meet long-term needs.

With significant investment at stake, initiatives must prove their effectiveness and align with regional priorities before gaining approval.

AAP has contributed to this article.