THE HON JOEL FITZGIBBON MP
Minister for Defence
Wednesday, 10 September 2008
120/2008
AUSTRALIA AND SOLOMON ISLANDS WORK TOGETHER
TO PROTECT THE PACIFIC
The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon, visited the Pacific Patrol Boat
(PPB) headquarters today.
Mr Fitzgibbon was met at the wharf in Honiara by Defence Attache Wing Commander
Wendy Horder and the resident Australian Maritime Adviser, Lieutenant Commander
Scott Mason and was shown around the two Solomon Islands Pacific Patrol Boats,
AUKI and LATA.
“Protection of the Pacific Ocean and its island nations is vital to Australia’s national
interest,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
“I am proud of the work that Australia and Solomon Islands is doing, and all we have
achieved together. I hope to see this relationship mature.”
Australia provided 22 Patrol Boats to 12 Pacific nations from 1987 to 1997 as part of
the Defence Cooperation Program. They are used by Pacific Island Nations for
maritime surveillance, search and rescue, and operations in support of their local
military, police and fisheries agencies.
Defence contributes more than $27 million annually to the PPB Program. Of this,
more than $12 million is expended in direct support of the Pacific Patrol Boats.
Solomon Islands’ Exclusive Economic Zone is one of the largest in the Pacific, and
the presence of the PPBs has been effective in deterring illegal fishing in the area.
The PPBs are operated by the Solomon Islands Police Force (SIPF) Maritime Unit.
Defence is committed to the Pacific Patrol Boat Program until 2027 and provides all
maintenance, logistics support and training, as well as specialist Royal Australian
Navy (RAN) personnel in the countries where the PPBs are based.
Mr Fitzgibbon commended the SIPF Maritime Unit for their continued work in
protecting their ocean surrounds, and as a result, their communities.
Media contacts:
Christian Taubenschlag (Joel Fitzgibbon):
02 6277 7800 or 0438 595 567
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
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