Australia pledges border support to fight drugs

Australia stands “shoulder to shoulder” with Fiji in combating transnational crime and eliminating drug smuggling across the region, says Australia’s Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, Pat Conroy.

Mr Conroy hinted at additional financial support for Fiji to acquire an integrated border management system to track people of interest, as both countries finalise a renewed security agreement under the Vuvale Partnership.

Australia’s renewed commitment comes as the Fiji Police Force and the Republic of Fiji Military Forces intensify joint operations to dismantle criminal networks in Fiji.

“This is a shared threat throughout the region, but obviously transnational crime and the threat it presents have been magnified in Fiji by recent events,” Mr Conroy said.

“This is a priority under the Vuvale Partnership, and we must work together to combat and disrupt criminal operations. We are using all tools available through coordination at national, bilateral and regional levels.”

Support

Before the establishment of the Vuvale Partnership, Australia provided support to Fiji through two Guardian-class patrol boats and an $83 million investment in the Vuvale Maritime Essential Services Centre, both aimed at strengthening Fiji’s maritime capabilities.

“We are already working together to disrupt the drug trade, including through Operation Nautilus, a joint operation with Fiji Police that has seized more than four tonnes of methamphetamine,” he said.

“We are also working together to secure Fiji’s borders through investment in container examination capabilities at key ports.”

The security component of the Vuvale Partnership reflects the concept of the Pacific as an Ocean of Peace.

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