Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Krissy Barrett is poised to bolster security cooperation by finalizing a new policing agreement with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) on November 1, 2025. This pivotal agreement is designed to enhance the sharing of information and support investigations, which is vital in the fight against multijurisdictional organized crime that affects both Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG).
This new initiative builds upon a previous memorandum that laid the groundwork for collaboration between the two agencies. Commissioner Barrett highlighted the importance of this partnership in optimizing resource sharing and technology, enabling both forces to respond more effectively to emerging threats. She commended RPNGC Commissioner David Manning for his esteemed leadership in the Pacific and acknowledged the necessity for strong alliances in confronting mutual challenges.
During her inaugural international visit in her new role, Commissioner Barrett will engage in several key activities, including a bilateral meeting with Fiji Police Force Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu, a prominent advocate for regional security.
Additionally, Barrett will participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Bomana Police College’s Regional Centre of Excellence in Port Moresby. This event marks the beginning of significant upgrades aimed at enhancing the college’s training capabilities for recruits and investigators, with aspirations to include participants from other Pacific Island nations by early 2027.
The extensive development project is set to introduce essential facilities, such as classrooms and barracks for cadets, which are crucial to meeting the increasing domestic demand for police personnel and improving public safety standards across the region.
Furthermore, Commissioner Barrett is scheduled to attend an NRL Pacific Championships match featuring teams from PNG and Fiji, highlighting the spirit of partnership and camaraderie between the nations.
These ongoing collaborative efforts between Australia and PNG illuminate a hopeful path toward enhanced security cooperation in the Pacific, underscoring the region’s collective determination to combat organized crime through strengthened law enforcement partnerships. These measures are expected to not only boost operational effectiveness but also cultivate greater trust and safety within communities throughout the Pacific region.