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The Australian Defence Force’s first enhanced regional engagement activity in the Pacific for 2019 has concluded with the return of HMAS Choules to Townsville.
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HMAS Choules’ month-long deployment incorporated a series of bilateral activities in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, and was conducted as part of the Australian government’s Pacific step-up initiative to strengthen our enduring partnerships and promote a secure and prosperous region.
Defence Minister Christopher Pyne said the deployment of the ADF contingent heralded the beginning of a very busy year for Defence: "This activity is the first of a series of key regional engagements this year, designed to support capability development, respond to common security challenges, and build interoperability and resilience across the region."
With a focus on logistics and public affairs training, personnel from the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and the 1st Joint Public Affairs Unit provided training in the Solomon Islands’ capital, Honiara, to assist the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force prepare for their historic national general election in April 2019.
In Vanuatu, ADF personnel conducted a program of training and engagement to support the needs of the Vanuatu Police Force, including the Vanuatu Mobile Force and the Police Maritime Wing. The visit to Port Vila also involved maintenance assistance to RVS Tukoro and a women’s leadership and professional development workshop.
"Visiting Papua New Guinea, HMAS Choules strengthened ADF relationships with the PNG Defence Force by delivering tools and equipment to the Lombrum Naval Base and providing on-board training opportunities to the PNG Defence Force Maritime Element, including training with the ship’s MRH-90 helicopter," Minister Pyne explained.
The Cyclone Pam commemorative activity on Tanna Island was a moving ceremony in memory of the shared experiences of the 2015 tragedy.
Minister Pyne added, "Like Indo-Pacific Endeavour, this initiative is an ongoing effort to expand Australia’s engagement in the region that will continue to offer meaningful and relevant interactions through our long-standing friendships and build upon our shared histories, regional bonds and security needs."
The successful deployment of the HMAS Choules is part of the government's Pacific step-up policy agenda. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the initiative in late 2018, which has two interconnected areas of Australian focus, namely:
- Enhanced regional economic collaboration and integration through investment in key infrastructure and economic drivers, like communications networks; and
- Regional strategic partnerships and alliances to promote transparent dialogue and amicable strategic relations.
"Future regional engagement activities and exercises will expand on the success of this deployment," Minister Pyne said.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
