Chief of the Defence Force visit to the Pacific

Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus Campbell, AO, DSC, travelled to Vanuatu, Tonga, Fiji and Solomon Islands from 20-25 January 2019.  

General Campbell was accompanied by the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, Andrew Colvin APM OAM, Commissioner of the Australian Border Force, Michael Outram APM and the Deputy Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, Peter Vickery.

During the visit, General Campbell met with the Acting Commissioner of the Vanuatu Police Force Kalo Willie Ben, Chief of Defence Staff of His Majesty’s Armed Forces (Tonga) Brigadier General Lord Fielakapa, Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto and Commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Matthew Varley. 

General Campbell said he was honoured to have the opportunity to meet with his Pacific counterparts during his first official visit to the region as Chief of the Defence Force to discuss current and future areas of defence cooperation and discuss shared security challenges.

“Australia has a long history of working alongside our Pacific Island partners to support capability development, respond to common security challenges and build interoperability and resilience across the region,” General Campbell said.

“Australia is committed to taking our engagement with the region to a new level, working with our Pacific partners to build a region that is prosperous, secure and respectful of sovereignty.

“Defence plays a key role in this endeavour – we are and will continue to enhance our security cooperation with our Pacific neighbours, building on our existing and long-standing engagement, including under the Defence Cooperation Program.”