The AFP has announced plans to significantly expand its Pinkenba Hub as a central pillar for the Pacific Policing Initiative (PPI), a Pacific-led, Australian-backed partnership designed to bolster the region's law-enforcement capabilities, safety and security.
As part of its evolution, the Hub will serve as the training ground for the PPI's Pacific Police Support Group (PPSG), a multinational deployment group designed to support major events and crisis response in the Pacific region.
The PPSG has already deployed to the Palau 2025 Pacific Mini Games, Vanuatu's post-2024 earthquake recovery and last year's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa.
With PPSG members and other Pacific police soon to be based at the Pinkenba Hub, the expansion will include a chapel, sporting fields, a fully functional mess, traditional gathering and cooking areas, and expanded training facilities.
Expansion plans were unveiled during the Hub's 1st anniversary celebrations in December, when police chiefs, ministers and dignitaries from across the Pacific met for the inaugural PPI Leadership Board and the official opening of a Leaf Hut to replicate and honour the traditional meeting place of Pacific island peoples. The anniversary also featured a PPSG demonstration including Public Order Management and capability displays.
Memorandums of Understanding were also signed to establish the PPI's institutional arrangements and to define how Pacific police deployments will work.
Initial signatories were Palau Minister of Justice Jennifer Olegeriil, Tonga Minister for Police Paula Piveni Piukala, New Zealand Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke.
"The PPI is a Pacific-led initiative that is strengthening policing capacity and coordination in the region - for the Pacific, by the Pacific,'' Commissioner Barrett said.
"Since I was appointed Commissioner in October this year, I have met with Pacific leaders in PNG, I have travelled to Fiji for bilateral meetings and had meaningful discussions regarding an enhanced Pacific representation within INTERPOL at the recent INTERPOL General Assembly. Next week I will travel to Vanuatu for further discussions about the safety and security of our Pacific region.
"The message from Pacific leaders is clear. As a Pacific bloc, they have the ambition and determination to find solutions for our shared security challenges.
"Together we will continue to build our resilience because the threats challenging the Pacific are also the threats that challenge Australia.
"I have been humbled by the time and wisdom Pacific leaders have shared with me and next year we will continue to forge ahead with further goals to keep our communities safe."
