The Australian Government has committed AUD$750,000 to support the continuation of a Tonga Police Development Program (TPDP) for 2017-18.

The Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs Lord Ma’afu signed a Subsidiary Arrangement with the Australian High Commissioner HE Mr Andrew Ford at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, March 20 in Nuku'alofa.

TPDP is a tripartite agreement between the Governments of Tonga, Australia, and New Zealand which is aimed at rebuilding an efficient and effective Tonga Police.

Australia is one of Tonga’s key development partners and this program provides for part of Australia’s significant bilateral assistance.

Since 2008, the Australian and New Zealand Governments have provided financial support to the program.

Over the years, projects funded included leadership trainings for officers. provision of equipment and construction of various police stations throughout Tongatapu and in the outer islands, among others.