I will travel to the Pacific for a seven-day visit, from 22 to 28 August, to further enhance Australia’s regional defence engagement.
My first visit to Papua New Guinea as Defence Minister will be an opportunity to meet with my counterpart, Minister the Hon Saki Soloma and continue to expand defence cooperation in aviation, maritime, infrastructure and capability development.
In East Sepik I will observe our largest joint infantry exercise – Wantok Warrior – involving more than 250 Australian and PNG soldiers. I will also open the Loda Wharf in Manus Province, an important Australian-funded infrastructure project, delivered under the Pacific Maritime Security Program. This infrastructure will support the operation of Papua New Guinea’s new Guardian Class Patrol Boats.
The trip will conclude in Port Moresby at the Australia-PNG Ministerial Forum, building on the recent announcement by Prime Minister Morrison and Prime Minister Marape of a $20 million package of defence initiatives.
In Solomon Islands, I will continue my recent productive discussions with Minister of Police, ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Security and Correctional Services the Hon Lanelle Tanangada on security cooperation.
I will observe the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and the Australian Defence Force working together to conduct Exercise Coastwatchers. This important joint activity, now in its third year, strengthens Solomon Islands’ ability to police remote areas of the islands – a high priority for the Solomon Islands Government that Australia is proud to support.
