Overseas Role of AFP expanded
by Ernie Davitt, National Affairs Editor, ASM
The Australian Federal Police will receive $53.7 million over the next two years to help develop a more effective police service for the people of East Timor.
The Minister for Home Affairs, Bob Debus, also announced a total of $47 million in law enforcement help to Afghanistan and a $13.7 million package of support to the Iraqi Police Service (IPS).
On the question of East Timor, Mr Debus said funding the second stage of the East Timor Police Development Program would allow the deployment of up to 80 specialist personnel engaged in capacity development in the country.
“This funding recognises the need to develop strong infrastructure in East Timor, almost doubling the previous four-year allocation,” he said.
The funding will help develop more than 2000 PNTL members located outside Dili, as well as providing opportunities for those stationed in the capital.
The program will deliver support for literacy and general police education to improve skills and develop a more solid base for East Timor’s police force.
“Australia was quick to respond to security issues in East Timor following the attempted assassination of the President of East Timor, Jose Ramos-Horta, and Prime Minister Gusmao, including the deployment of AFP personnel,” Mr Debus said.
“The AFP continues to play a vital role in the United Nations Mission in East Timor and this will provide a further opportunity for the AFP to contribute to the development of policing in East Timor.”
The Australian Government’s support to police in the Pacific region will also be boosted under an $80.1million program announced today.
Mr Debus said the new Pacific Police Development Program represents the largest Australian investment made to policing skills in the region.
“This program aims to provide more effective policing for the region’s people and demonstrates Australia’s commitment to working in close cooperation with Pacific Island nations.
“It will assist in raising the standard of living for people throughout the region, as outlined in the Prime Minister’s Port Moresby Declaration on 6 March.”
The four-year program will be delivered by the AFP and the Attorney-General’s Department (AGD) in consultation with the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).
It extends existing AusAID and AFP managed policing programs in Samoa and Nauru and follows the Pacific Region Policing Initiative which has operated since January 2004. A program of support to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary will also begin.
“This program supplements other AFP regional capacity-development programs as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands, the Timor-Leste Police Development Program and the Vanuatu Police Project,” Mr Debus said.
“It will provide a platform for improved stability, ensuring more effective aid and encouraging economic development across the region.”
In relation to Afghanistan, Mr Debus said up to eight additional Australian Federal Police (AFP) members are to be deployed in capacity development and counter-narcotics roles in Afghanistan.
“The extra members will join the four AFP members currently deployed in Afghanistan with the Australian Government providing funding of $47.0 million over two years to strengthen international efforts to stabilise the country,” he said.
“The AFP has been providing expertise in counter-narcotics and police capacity development in Afghanistan since October last year.
“The additional members will provide high level advice to the National Police of Afghanistan and act in advisory roles with the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan.
“More than 90 per cent of the world’s opium is cultivated in Afghanistan and according to United Nations reports, poppy production continues to increase.
“The large scale production of opium in Afghanistan continues to fuel the Taliban-led insurgency, threatening regional and international security and is a cause of human suffering across the world.”
Mr Debus also announced a $13.7 million support package for the Iraqi Police Service (IPS), to provide training for up to 243 IPS members.
“Iraqi police members will be brought to Australia for specialist management, leadership and technical training at the Australian Institute of Police Management (AIPM) and the AFP’s specialist forensic facilities.
“Each year over the next three years, 30 IPS mid and senior level managers will attend the AIPM in Sydney, while another 51 IPS members will undertake forensics training with AFP experts over the same period.