MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Billson
Australian border security expertise will assist in the fight against
corruption within the Tongan Customs Service, the Parliamentary Secretary for
Foreign Affairs, Bruce Billson, announced today.
'The Tongan Government has called on Australia for help in a bid to
support its crack-down on corruption within the Service, which has decreased
customs revenue and left Tongan borders increasingly vulnerable to unrestricted
entry,' Mr Billson said.
'Border security in the Pacific is critical to ensure a safer region,
and our efforts in Tonga will help improve an important front line
service.
'Australia's contribution of $1 million over 18 months to support
urgent reforms, will also include the temporary placement of a senior
Australian Customs Officer as head of the organisation to pass on critical
know-how and skills,' Mr Billson said.
'The Australian Government's aid agency, AusAID, aims to work
closely with the Tongan Government and NZAID to rebuild the organisation's
infrastructure, improve technical capacity and boost the effectiveness of local
customs officers.
'Australia will also provide essential equipment, including a
customs' launch to monitor maritime and quarantine defences and to patrol
tourist areas inaccessible by land,' Mr Billson said.
'Although these initiatives aim to address the most urgent and systemic
problems for border security in Tonga, our longer term support will focus on
institutional strengthening as part of the broader Financial and Economic
Management Program,' Mr Billson said.
In 2005-06 Australia will contribute $9.2 million in bilateral aid to Tonga
which includes measures to improve health management, governance, waste
management, fisheries and economic reform programs.
Media inquiries:
Shane Fairlie (Mr Billson's office) 0408 680
442
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590