IN January, we celebrated the twelve-month anniversary of the first long term deployment of two Australian Border Force officers to Solomon Islands and the important work they have being doing in partnership with Solomon Islands border agencies.
The Australian Border Force first deployed officers on a short-term basis in 2022 to assist with the reopening of the international border following the COVID-19 pandemic. They worked closely with Solomon Islands border agencies to ensure a seamless return of international travellers, while ensuring the integrity and safety of the health system through rigorous screening at the border.
The Australian Border Force deployed additional officers in 2023 to provide support a safe and secure 2023 Pacific Games. During this time, they trained over 60 officers from Solomon Islands Customs, Excise and Immigration Divisions in the critical functions of border enforcement and facilitation.
They worked side by side with Solomon Islands border agencies at the airport during the Games and assisted in the facilitation of over 10,000 visiting athletes, officials, and supporters.
Following the success of this mission, the Australian Border Force deployed two officers to Solomon Islands on long term postings, and they have been working closely with the border agencies since January 2024, delivering key outcomes in border management, border security, revenue protection and uplift.
Under Australia’s Border Security Capacity Building program, the Australian Border Force has provided specialist training across all border environments including maritime, aviation, and international mail.
These projects have helped with detecting and preventing illicit trade and revenue evasion, investigations, passenger processing and risk assessment, maritime operations, command.
The Australian Border Force will continue its support in 2025, with the provision of important technology to border agencies. This technology includes x-ray units, drug detection equipment, uniforms and personal protective equipment, and computers.
Last year the Australian Border Force led a border security study tour to the Torres Strait in Australia’s far north, home to indigenous Melanesian Torres Strait Islanders. The tour demonstrated the similarities in the border environments shared by our two countries. Like the Shortland Islands in Solomon Islands, the Torres Strait region at its closest sits only a few kilometres from Papua New Guinea. Border agency representatives saw first-hand how Australia manages and protects this unique and culturally significant border region.
The Australian Border Force also plays a critical role in implementing the SBD18 million Border Management System, announced by Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles in May 2024, and the SBD10 million Customs capability uplift, announced by Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat Conroy in September 2024.
The Border Management System provides a game-changing upgrade to Solomon Islands’ immigration operations by digitising visa processing, border entries and exits across the country, and improving processes for associated revenue collection. It is being delivered through a Pacific trilateral partnership between Australia, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, and the Australian Border Force officers here will continue to provide key support as the system is rolled out.
The Customs uplift will include a major boost to Customs’ capabilities through a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, a Passenger and Container Control Program, vehicles, small craft, and a suite of specialist maritime, aviation and trade enforcement training. The initiative will not only help Customs to disrupt illicit or prohibited goods, but support Solomon Islands’ budget position by improving revenue collection.
While the Australian Border Force officers have been here only a short time, you can see the breadth and importance of the work they are doing for Solomon Islands on border security.
Australia is proud to be Solomon Islands’ nambawan security partner, and will continue to partner closely with the border agencies and communities in Solomon Islands to ensure we support its mission to protect Solomon Islands’ border, community and economy.
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