Stephen Parry, the President of the Australian Senate visited Tonga Police on 17 April as part of an official visit to observe Australian funded aid projects in Tonga.

He visited the Police Headquarters in Longolongo and toured the transnational crime unit, professional standards unit, Tonga Police Training College and the construction of a police barrack funded under a Tonga Police Development Program (TPDP).

He also toured the police communications centre, forensic laboratory and operations room at the Central Police Station in Nuku'alofa.

Police in Nuku’alofa said that President Parry has an extensive policing background was particularly interested in initiatives progressed under the TPDP, a tri-partite partnership between the Governments of Tonga, Australia and New Zealand.

He met the Deputy Police Commissioner Viliami ‘Unga Fa’aoa, Superintendent Scott Miller and other advisors and discussed TPDP projects.

Since 2008, the Australian and New Zealand Governments have provided financial support to this program, aimed at rebuilding an effective and efficient Tonga Police.

President Parry was in Tonga from April 16-18.