Task Force Swep signs agreement with Australian Federal Police

Task Force Sweep on Tuesday evening signed a historic agreement with Australian Federal Police to share information, resources and conduct investigations on cross-border corruption issues of matters of mutual interest between the two countries.

Chairman of Task Force Sweep Sam Koim signed the memorandum of understanding with AFP Assistant Commissioner Ramsey Jabbour at the residence of Australian High Commissioner to PNG Deborah Stokes.

Koim and Jabbour sign the agreement on Tuesday evening.-Picture by MALUM NALU

“I understand that there are a lot of MOUs and agreements like this that are signed with customs, immigration, police,” Koim said.

“They are involved in an issue that is affecting this country very much – and that is corruption.

“There’s still a lot of work, but finally we’ve signed it, and it sets the precedent for something big to come.

“I believe that this agreement will help us to combat corruption and a number of cross-border issues that we face.”

Jabbour said he was looking forward to working closely with Task Force Sweep and other law-enforcement agencies in PNG to combat all forms of transnational crime.

“I think it makes good sense that we work closely on matters of mutual interest and we help to protect each other’s nations and secure them for our families, our children and for future generations,” he said.

“It’s actually my pleasure to have been able to sign the MOU because I’m actually looking forward to the AFP having a close working relationship with Task Force Sweep.”

Stokes said it was a milestone agreement between Australia and PNG.

“This will take cooperation with Task Force Sweep to a new level and it’s something that we’ve been talking about for a while,” he said.

“It’s good to see it come to pass this evening.

“I’d like to congratulate Task Force Sweep and the prosecution office for this achievement – a very heartening development in PNG and your good friends in Australia.”