AFP-funded patrol vessel to boost cross-border co-operation with PNG

Cross border patrols of the Torres Strait region between Papua New Guinea and Australia will be enhanced with today’s presentation of the Police Patrol Vessel Minigulai to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.

The PPV Minigulai was purchased by the Australian Federal Police from the Tasmanian Police Force and was today presented to the RPNGC on behalf of the AFP during my visit to Port Moresby for the 30th Australia-PNG ministerial forum.

The AFP will now assist the RPNGC water police department in training its members to crew the vessel, which will take part in joint cross-border patrols of the Torres Strait region between PNG and Australia.

This commissioning further demonstrates Australia’s commitment to assisting the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary to address transnational crime, and to support joint cross-border operations. through the expanded Papua New Guinea - Australia Policing Partnership.

The commissioning of the PPV Minigulai follows the renewal of the PNG-Australia Policing Partnership until 2026, the AFP’s largest bilateral partnership across the globe.

Over the next four months, more than 60 RPNGC cadets will travel to Australia to undertake training with the Queensland Police Service and attend the Australian Institute of Police Management where they will have the opportunity to develop their leadership capabilities.

The AFP, through the PNG-Australia Policing Partnership Program, has also commenced provision of less than lethal use of force training and provision of less than lethal munitions and equipment to the RPNGC.

The AFP has also agreed to support the RPNGC with the construction of police housing across priority provinces commencing with the construction of police barracks-styled accommodation in Port Moresby, Kokopo and Mount Hagen as the first phase of the initiative.

This will allow RPNGC recruits to be placed in regional centres upon graduation.

The AFP is also continuing to invest in the Bomana Police Training College.

Today’s commissioning of the PPV Minigulai, and the enhanced cooperation between the AFP and RPNGC, will clearly demonstrate the strength of the ties between Australia and Papua New Guinea, and the depth of our work together – in policing as in so many areas across government and our nations.