PNG seeks anti-piracy coalition with Australia and US

PNG’s Deputy PM has called for the creation of a joint coast guard or maritime police force with Australia and the US.

PNG Deputy Prime Minister Charles Abel.

Papua New Guinea’s Deputy Prime Minister has called for the creation of a joint coast guard or maritime police force with Australia and the US amid fears of increasing sea piracy in the country.

The request, which has not been rejected by Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, comes as the Coalition tries to tighten relations with the ­Pacific ­Islands and as Beijing increasingly courts these countries.

In particular, Canberra and Washington are seeking to get ahead of China building up a military presence on Australia’s doorstep by planning a new joint defence base with PNG at Lombrum Naval Base in Manus Province.

In exchange for allowing the base to be developed, PNG defence leaders have asked Australia to assist the country’s military.

PNG Defence Force Commander Brigadier General Gilbert Toropo has said he wants the federal government in Canberra to help fund his plans to expand his force from 4000 to 10,000 personnel by 2030, as well as help with the provision of new equipment.

Now this week, Charles Abel, the country’s Treasurer, called for a joint PNG and Australia coast guard to be set up in the wake of a crime wave in Milne Bay.

“I’d really like to see a coast guard-type arrangement with the help of Australian Federal Police that is concerned about drugs trafficking who can work with our police force and Defence Force to jointly establish some sort of border and coastal surveillance,” he reportedly told the Post Courier newspaper.

“I think we can have a good combined effort with the Australian government and even the Americans to come in and we can have a coast guard-type arrangement.”

Last month, The National newspaper in PNG reported criminals robbed shops on Misima Island in Milne Bay Province after landing in ­ding­hies. There was another robbery there on Christmas Day.

In September, foreign tourists were held up at gunpoint at Tawali Resort, which is also in Milne Bay Province.

Mr Dutton did not reject the request but emphasised that Australia already offered a lot of maritime surveillance assistance to the country.

“We have a very close working relationship. Australia has provided significant support in the past and we will continue to provide that support in the future,” a spokeswoman for the Home Affairs Minister said.

“We will continue to work with PNG on our shared priorities particularly on illegal drug matters.”

Over the past few years, the Australian Border Force has increased its presence in the waters between Australia and PNG and in the Torres Strait and the ABF’s Maritime Border Command operate in the area.

The ABF and the PNG already cooperate extensively on the shared border and ABF Commissioner Michael Outram met with PNG Customs Chief Commissioner Ray Paul to discuss joint patrols in November 2018.

The AFP also has a Senior Liaison Officer stationed in Port Moresby and Australia gave the PNG customs service three former ABF vessels.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is expected in Fiji next week as part of a regional tour.