Australia is set to invest around $400 million over the next five years to support the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI), aimed at fulfilling the aspirations of Pacific nations, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Albanese arrived in Tonga on Thursday evening and participated in discussions with other Pacific leaders to endorse PPI, a significant regional effort focused on strengthening collective peace and security in the Pacific.
The initiative aims to enhance the capabilities of Pacific countries in addressing law enforcement and internal security challenges, as well as providing mutual support during emergencies. Albanese highlighted that this initiative continues the long-standing collaboration among Pacific police forces to bolster regional stability and assistance.
“Pacific leaders are collaborating to shape the future we desire—enhancing capability, cooperation, and interoperability among Pacific police forces is advantageous for all nations in the region and the safety of our communities,” he stated. He emphasized that the PPI is a Pacific-led initiative backed by Australia, which leverages their shared strengths to achieve greater effectiveness.
The PPI will consist of three key components: the establishment of up to four regional Police Training Centres of Excellence in the Pacific to improve law enforcement skills through specialized training and operational aid for police personnel; the Pacific Police Support Group (PPSG) which will provide a ready pool of trained police for deployment in response to various needs, such as major events or crises; and a PPI Policing Development and Coordination Hub located in Brisbane, equipped with advanced Australian Federal Police facilities for training and preparedness for PPSG assignments.
Albanese noted that Australia’s contribution would also cover the infrastructure expenses related to establishing these new training centres in the region.
This initiative is viewed as a practical step toward realizing the Pacific Islands Forum’s vision for peace and security as articulated in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, and it builds upon the recent experiences from the Solomon Islands International Assistance Force.
The initial conversations surrounding the development of an integrated regional policing capability took place during the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police meeting in 2023.