The Australian High Commission in Papua New Guinea has responded to social media users’ questioning a joint exercise between the Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) and the PNG Defence Force’s First Royal Pacific Islands Regiment (1RPIR).
In a statement released by Australian Authorities, Australian Defence Advisor to Papua New Guinea, Colonel Travis Gordon said the training in question is a continuation of a long history of cooperation between ADF and PNGDF that stretches back decades.
“1 RAR’s travel to PNG is the first rotation this year of the longstanding Olgeta training series, focused on activities to enhance PNGDF capability and capacity. Planning for this rotation commenced in August 2023,” said Col. Gordon.
Following the announcement of a team from ADF’s 1RAR preparing to travel to Papua New Guinea, many social media users questioned the role of the Australian Army in PNG.
Thus the head of the Australian Defence Force in country says the trainings is part of the longstanding Defence ties between Australia and Papua New Guinea, the ADF regularly deploys Mentor Training Teams to work alongside the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF).
“The partnership between the ADF and the PNGDF plays a vital role in the broader relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea,” Col Gordon explained.
These teams deliver training and activities with the PNGDF on a rotational basis, returning to Australia upon completion of their training activities.
The 1 RAR’s deployment to PNG is only for the purpose of participating in the next Mentor Training Team activity.
The beautiful Yule Island in Central’s Kairuku district is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of Lieutenant Léon BOURJADE, a French flying ace in the First World War who died in 1924.
The restored plaque of Lieutenant Léon BOURJADE.
As part of the celebrations, crew members of Auguste Bénébig a French navy vessel based in New Caledonia, anchored on the island and performed a memorial action through the cleaning and restoration of the grave of Lieutenant Léon BOURJADE. Famous for his “acrobatic” landings, his name is still associated with aviation through the expression “landing like Bourjade”.
French Navy vessel Auguste Bénébig at anchor on Yule Island, Kairuku District.
French Ambassador Guillaume Lemoine, European Union Ambassador Jacques Fradin and Central Governor, Rufina Peter were part of the dignitaries to the island.
The commemoration ceremony of Lieutenant Léon BOURJADE comes days after the first official visit of General Yann LATIL, Commander of the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia (FANC), to Papua New Guinea. He made a 3-days official visit to Port Moresby at the end of February, where he met officials from Department of Defence and PNGDF to sign a 2024-2025 cooperation plan.
French Ambassador Guillaume Lemoine (right), European Union Ambassador Jacques Fradin (obscured), crew members of Auguste Bénébig and Central Governor Rufina Peter (center) laying wreaths in honour of Lieutenant Léon BOURJADE
The FANC enable France to have permanent military presence in the Pacific Region in order to protect French interests in the region and maintain France’s military partnerships in this area of strategic interest.
With over 1,650 military personnel, the FANC provide regular support for missions involving government action at sea. They have the capacity to intervene in the event of a security or climatic crisis affecting the area. The FANC regularly share their expertise in the field of HADR and maritime security with the security and defence forces of partner countries in the Pacific.
Tuvalu, a picturesque island nation nestled in the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean is currently grappling with a relentless onslaught of storm surges and towering waves, wreaking havoc on coastal communities.
As with most island nations, spring tides occur, in the case of Tuvalu, February’s king tides is nothing like before. The island’s one main road has succumbed to the fury of nature, submerged beneath torrents of seawater, exacerbating the already dire situation faced by Tuvaluans.
With this year’s storm surges and the rising sea inundating vital transportation routes, many of the island’s inhabitants are questioning their future in the face of unyielding climate crisis. The only main road, the lifeline connecting communities and providing the flow of essential services recently became an impassable river filled with water, displaced rocks and coastal waste.
The flooding of the main road in Tuvalu has taken its toll on underground electricity generation. Homes, business and essential services are now grappling with the harsh reality of life without electricity for hours even days. This not only disrupts daily lives but also poses significant risks to public health safety. Papua New Guinea, the largest island in the pacific also face such ferocity within its coastal communities.
Scientists have predicted that Tuvalu might be submerged within 50 to 100 years but Tuvaluans are optimistic. Many young people are questioning themselves whether to continue living in Tuvalu and what the future holds for them and their families. The spectre of displacement and the ever-present threat of climate related devastation loom large, provoking deep seated concerns about the sustainability of life on the island.
A Chinese-born businesswoman accused of taking part in an audacious plot to fly a light plane packed with drugs from Papua New Guinea to Australia allegedly ordered a co-conspirator to pay into a bank account in the name of PNG’s former Migration Chief in order to obtain a visa, court filings show.
Mei Lin, 41, was arrested and charged in Brisbane, Australia, in January for allegedly playing a key role in facilitating a “black flight” in March 2023 that carried over 71kg of methamphetamine from a remote PNG airstrip to the Australian town of Monto.
Lin, a naturalized PNG citizen, has denied the charges.
According to a statement of facts submitted by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to a Brisbane court last week, Lin allegedly instructed one of her co-accused, Australia-based businessman Chun Li, to pay A$10,000 (US$ 6,546) to a Sydney bank account last February in order for Li to obtain a visa in order to travel to PNG and take part in the drug trafficking scheme. The money was allegedly transferred in mid-February last year.
The account at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia is simply listed in the police document as belonging to a “Stanis”. However, by using the bank’s online payment system, reporters were able to confirm that the branch and account numbers in the police document matched the full name of Stanis Hulahau, PNG’s then-chief migration officer.
Hulahau has not been charged with any crime.
“[I] am not aware of the transaction and will have to check with my Bank in Australia,” Hulahau wrote in response to questions from Inside PNG, adding that “the visa was granted electronically so there is no way I will be involved in this process.”
“I have no link to Mei Lin on the drug issue and [have] not assisted Mr Chun Li’s visa or travel to PNG to participate in drug activity as I am a leader who leads the fight against drug[s] in PNG,” he said.
The then Chief Migration Officer, Stanis Hulahau.
Hulahau resigned as migration chief earlier this month after reporting by Inside PNG, OCCRP and the ABC revealed that companies tied to Lin had received Australian government money under a controversial program to care for refugees and asylum seekers in PNG. Known as the PNG Humanitarian Program (PHP), the PNG government-administered arrangement is now under investigation over allegations that contracts had been improperly doled out and money had gone missing.
An Inside PNG-OCCRP investigation last month revealed how Lin had built a web of business ties with some of PNG’s most influential people. They include Moses Maladina, a former deputy prime minister who owns a company, Chatswood PNG, where Lin was previously employed and which has been a key contractor in the migration scheme. Maladina has denied any wrongdoing.
Lin was granted bail last week and is in Brisbane awaiting trial.
The latest police filing also contains new details alleging that last year’s black flight, if successful, was likely intended to be the first of many bringing drugs to Australia.
Police allege that Lin used a specialized encrypted communications device, under the handle “Make it Rain”, to coordinate the drug flight with members of an Australia-based syndicate that included local pilots.
The flight was intercepted in Monto on March 21 after the group had made previous unsuccessful attempts to fly to Australia, the AFP statement said. Police allege that the group intended the black flight to be the first in an “ongoing commercial business of importing methamphetamine from PNG to Australia”.
Police also stated that a forensic comparison showed similarities between the meth found on the black flight and an earlier stash of 125kg of meth seized in PNG in November 2022. Two Malaysians and two PNG nationals were reportedly charged over that previous haul.
Eight people have been charged so far over the black flight in Australia, while six others, including Chun Li, have been charged in PNG.
The case comes amid fears that PNG could become an increasingly important staging point in the lucrative trade bringing drugs to Australia, one of the world’s most expensive narcotics markets. Papua New Guinea suffers from endemic corruption, poverty and violence, and experts say organized criminals are seeking to build influence with local elites.
Four pilots in the Papua New Guinea Defence Force have qualified as the pilots, loadmasters and maintenance personnel for the recently gifted PAC 750 aircrafts.
The up-skilling of these airmen follows the Defence Corporation Program between PNGDF Air Element and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) through the Flights of Excellence Program.
Part of this program includes the recent acquisition of two new PAC 750 aircrafts by the PNGDF Air element.
PAC 750 Aircraft.
Commanding Officer of PNGDF’s Air Transport Wing, Nancy Wii said the future looks bright for the air element.
“Five years we had a Pac 70 aircraft in our hanger not knowing what to do. Our RAAF partners have come along, and Fenix 701 got airborne, Fenix 702 and Finex 703 ready to be airborne, our latest aircraft,” said Wii.
The acquisition of the new planes increases PNGDF’s aviation capabilities to transport a section for patrol along the land borders, maritime surveillance and provide humanitarian assistances during natural disasters. It increases PNGDF’s PAC 750 fleet to three, following the Australian Defence Force’s support to remediate the PNGDF’s first PAC 750 in 2021.
Assistant Minister for Defence, Matt Thistlethwaite, said the addition of the planes supports regional security and protects the common interests of both countries.
“They will play an important role of delivering PNGDF’s long term goal of developing its sovereign aviation capability. As they are put to work, they will be supported by the joint Flights of Excellence Program,” said Thistlewaite.
PNG Deputy Prime Minister, John Rosso while thanking the Australian Government said the PNG government has not supported the Air Transport Wing for a long time.
PNG Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso (left) and Australia’s Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite addressing the media.
After almost two weeks in Wewak and the Pacific Partnership 23 concluded with acknowledgements, goodbyes and well wishes.
Mission Commander, U.S. Navy Captain Claudine Caluori led a team of 90 military personnel to East Sepik province to do a range of humanitarian assistance, including the restoration of a water supply system.
Other assistance programs include, tailored medical care focusing on subject-matter exchanges and community education, repairs at a local schoolhouse, and facilitated knowledge exchanges with exercises covering disaster response and humanitarian assistance.
Community Health Engagement
US Chargé d’Affaires for Papua New Guinea, Katherine Monahan was at the closure of the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific region.
She said Pacific Partnership’s mission exemplifies USA’s partnership with Papua New Guinea as fellow Pacific countries.
Engagement with CommunityCommunity Engagement in Wewak Town
“The medical care, community education, and disaster relief preparedness enabled by the Pacific Partnership’s work complements the closer cooperation that exists between our countries as a part of the U.S.-Papua New Guinea Defence Cooperation Agreement,” said Monahan
Pacific Partnership’s mission in Wewak follows a similar exercise in Kimbe last year. This year it included military personnel from Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the United States.
The merchandise trade between Papua New Guinea and Hong Kong Special Administration Region of China has recorded a substantial increase of 34 per cent in the past three years, from US$65 million in 2019 to US$87 million in 2022.
This information was revealed to PNG Prime Minister, James Marape following a brief meeting between Marape and Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administration Region in China, John Lee.
The meeting resulted in an invitation issued for companies listed on the Papua New Guinea Stock Exchange (PNGX) to also be dual listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Hang Seng Index (HSI).
Marape said their discussions on Sunday (15th October 2023) included Papua New Guinean companies having access to capital market in HKSAR, access to technologies and other capabilities that the Special Administrative Region (SAR) has to offer in all areas, including the public service.
John Lee welcomed Marape’s visit to Hong Kong, noting that Hong Kong and Papua New Guinea have been maintaining a close relationship in business despite the challenges brought on by COVID-19 pandemic.
Papua New Guinea was the first Pacific Island Nation to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with China for co-operation on the Belt and Road Initiative in 2018.
Hence, more Papua New Guinean enterprises have been encouraged to leverage Hong Kong’s institutional strengths, such as the commitment to the Rule of Law, the free flow of information and capital, a simple and competitive tax system, with a view to seizing opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative.
Moem Barracks in Wewak is expected to host several humanitarian works over the coming weeks as part of the Pacific Partnership-2023.
The home of the Infantry Battalion, the Second Royal Pacific Islands Regiment is set to accommodate at least 1,500 military personnel participating in Pacific Partnership.
Similar to Exercise Pukpuk, an annual engineering exchange between PNG Defence Force and the Australian Defence Force, Pacific Partnership is an also an annual deployment of United States Navy supporting governments in the area of humanitarian aid or preparedness towards disaster assistance.
In Moem, the major project being worked on include engineering work on repairing of a damaged water collection system.
Speaking at the opening ceremony in Wewak, Pacific Partnership Mission Commander, US. Navy, Captain Claudine Caluori, said the team is excited to work with Papua New Guineans and experience PNG communities.
“I am looking forward to participating in the various activities we have planned here in Wewak over the next week, but on a personal level, our team is eager to experience all that Papua New Guinea has to offer and meet the locals and residents that make enduring missions like these possible,” said Captain Caluori.
For this mission stop in Wewak, Partners involved in the humanitarian and preparations towards disaster assistance include, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan and PNG.
Pacific Partnership 2023 will focus on community education, knowledge exercises covering disaster response and humanitarian assistance in Port Moresby and Wewak.
The team is accompanied by a Japan Maritime Self Defence Force singer, who will perform in a variety of community engagements.
Arriving in the country, this week, Pacific Partnership is an annual deployment of United States Navy who work alongside governments in the area of humanitarian aid or preparedness towards disaster assistance.
Teaming up with Papua New Guinea Defence Force, the team from the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet will undertake missions in Port Moresby and Wewak, East Sepik Province.
PNGDF Chief of Force Preparations, Colonel Craig Solomon said PNG and the United States are bonded by a common interest to promote a stable and secure Indo-Pacific by working on readiness for potential hazards and responses.
The Papua New Guinea Defence Force is looking forward to collaborating with the U.S. Navy and our allies to conduct another successful round of Pacific Partnership,” said Colonel Solomon.
The US Navy are in the country at the invitation of Government, and features nearly 1,500 personnel, from Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Returning to Port Moresby following last year’s visit to West New Britain, Pacific Partnership enables participants to work together to enhance disaster response capabilities and foster new and enduring friendships in Papua New Guinea.
Pacific Partnership Mission Commander ,U.S. Navy Capt. Claudine Caluori, said her team is keen to exchange knowledge, skills, and relations that will endure long after the mission departs.
“Pacific Partnership empowers nations to enhance their infrastructure and ability to respond to disaster emergencies,“ said Captain Caluori.
As part of the program for 20023, the mission team will conduct missions throughout Southeast Asia and the South Pacific Island Countries.
The last of the four Guardian Class Patrol Boats gifted to Papua New Guinea Defence Force – Maritime Element has been handed over to the PNG Government.
PNG Defence Minister Win Bakri Daki accepted the (NUSHIP) patrol boat in a ceremony at HMAS Stirling in Perth, Australia.
NUSHIP Gilbert Toropo’s Crew in Parade.
Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, said PNG and Australia are close friends with a long history of Defence cooperation.
“The Guardian-class Patrol Boat program is one of the most significant programs in support of our Pacific partners,” said Marles.
The NUSHIP which will be commissioned as HMPNGS Gilbert Toropo was designed and built by Australians in Australia.
This patrol boat joins Papua New Guinea’s other vessels Ted Diro, Rochus Lokinap and Francis Agwi as the 17th Guardian-class Patrol Boat delivered under the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program.
PNG Defence Minister Win Bakri Daki, and Australian Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans’ Affairs, Matt Keogh cut the ribbon during the Handover Ceremony of the NUSHIP Gilbert Toropo.
The program is a 30-year commitment by the Australian Government to ensure uninterrupted engagement with our Pacific partners in support of a stable, prosperous, and secure region.
Australia’s minister for Defence Industry and International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy said the commitment is part of Australia’s long-standing commitment to support its Pacific partners.
“The construction and delivery of these Guardian-class Patrol Boats by Australia’s world class defence industry offers increased capability to our Pacific partners,” said Conroy.
The inclusion of this patrol boat will extend PNG’s ability to protect its territorial waters and tackle shared maritime security challenges such as illegal and unregulated fishing.
Australia’s minister for Defence Personnel, Matt Keogh said he was proud to deliver NUSHIP Gilbert Toropo.
“The Guardian Class Patrol Boats are critical assets that support Papua New Guinea’s maritime security operations, help to combat illegal fishing and support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts, contributing to the peace and prosperity of our region.”
Keogh emphasized that working together under the Pacific Maritime Security Program means we are well positioned to protect our collective maritime resources now, and into the future.
