The Albanese Government has made a $35 million commitment to continue the successful policing partnership between the Australian Federal Police and the Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL).
The extension of our policing partnership underscores Australia’s ongoing support for Timor-Leste’s sovereignty and security.
The funding will support skilled and professional policing services in Timor-Leste through the Timor-Leste Police Development Program (TLPDP).
In its 20th year of operation, the TLPDP has helped develop the skills and capacity of Timor-Leste’s national police force to detect, disrupt, deter and respond to crime and instability.
This new phase of support will explicitly place community policing principles at the heart of the partnership and focus on responding to the needs of women, children and vulnerable persons.
It will also build police preparedness to respond to natural disasters and crises, improve key IT and communications systems, enhance maritime and forensic capabilities, and tackle transnational serious and organised crime.
Australia remains Timor-Leste’s largest development and security partner – and will contribute an estimated $118 million in development assistance in 2023-24.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:
“Australia is committed to working with Timor-Leste to deliver skilled and professional policing services that contribute to a stable and secure Timor-Leste.
“This long-standing program is just one demonstration of Australia’s commitment to a stable, prosperous and secure future for the people of Timor-Leste.”
