By Tupou Vaipulu Jr.

Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Rt. Hon. Penny Wong visited the Masefield Naval Base in Touliki, Tongatapu, yesterday for a special programme that celebrated a long-standing Australia-Tonga partnership in Defence Cooperation.

She was joined by Tonga’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala, Prime Minister ‘Aisake Eke and other officials, to enjoy food, music and entertainment from His Majesty's Armed Forces (HMAF), Tonga Police, Tupou College Toloa and Queen Salote College.

The Australian Defence Force and HMAF celebrated 38 years of the Defence Cooperation Program this year. The partnership includes infrastructure development, training and capability and asset support. Through the Program the Masefield Naval Base was modernised and expanded in 1992 to accommodate Australian-gifted Guardian-Class Patrol Boats. The base is currently home to Australian Guardian Class Patrol Boats:; Ngahau Koula and Ngahau Siliva.

The Australian Government continued to fund the modernisation of the Navy Base to meet growing needs of the Tongan Royal Navy, with the recent construction of a women’s barracks. Australia has also provided infrastructure upgrades to the Talai Military Camp at Fua'amotu and the ongoing development of HMAF Northern Command Base in Vava’u.

Other support includes grassroot opportunities, elite pathways, and international competition for sports in Tonga through the TeamUp and PacificAus Sports programs. This included Tonga Rugby Union hosting the Queensland Reds for a week of community and high-performance activities in Tonga in July 2024.

Tupou College has over 160 years history with Australia. The Australian High Commission commenced an annual scholarship to the school in 2024, and the school has commenced NSW HSC accredited international stream, one of only two schools in the Pacific to do so.

Queen Salote College has a 92-year history with Australia, dating back to the school's partnership with the Wing Methodist Ladies College, in New South Wales. The late Queen Salote Tupou III visited the college in 1935, accompanied by former President of the FWC, Rev Rodger Page and Mrs Page. In January 2025 Queen Salote College established an International Stream with the Wing Methodist Ladies College in NSW, creating a greater educational integration between the two countries.

Tonga Police and the Australian Federal Police have worked together to tackle transnational crime, including drugs. Australia gifted 27 vehicles to Tonga Police in last year's PIF, as well as other communications and planning support.