Australia Prime Minister caught on camera joking about Pacific Policing Initiative with US
"If you’re willing, we can split the costs fifty-fifty. "
During the Pacific Islands Forum summit, a private conversation between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell was recorded, causing quite a stir. The two leaders were overheard celebrating the approval of the Pacific Policing Initiative.
In the conversation, Albanese stated, "We have made a significant breakthrough, and this will bring about huge changes." Campbell replied, "That's fantastic. I discussed this issue with Kevin (Rudd). You know, we were going to do something like this, but he asked us not to, so we didn’t. We’ve given you the lane, so take it!" Albanese jokingly added, "If you’re willing, we can split the costs fifty-fifty. It will only cost you a bit."
The video, captured by a Radio New Zealand reporter on August 28, showed Albanese and Campbell chatting at the Pacific Islands Forum summit. The summit approved the Pacific Policing Initiative, which aims to establish a multinational Pacific police force funded by Australia at a cost of AUD 400 million (approximately USD 271 million). Australia is keen to portray the initiative as one led by Pacific Island countries. However, the footage may bolster China's allegations that Australia is aligning with U.S. interests to counter Beijing’s influence in the region.
When questioned about the conversation later on Thursday, Albanese responded angrily, "I know about this private conversation video. Campbell is my friend, and we were just chatting." He added, "Someone, you know, whoever did this, should think about their own journalistic ethics. This was a private conversation. It was jovial and friendly—just that. If anyone tries to read something into it, to be honest, they must be quite bored." He clarified that there are no plans for the U.S. to share the AUD 400 million cost, emphasizing, "This initiative is Pacific-led and managed by the police ministers, who have been discussing this for a year."
China's Pacific allies, particularly Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, have expressed concerns that the policing initiative aims to sideline Beijing geopolitically. China previously attempted to establish a regional security agreement in 2022 but was unsuccessful. Since then, China has been providing martial arts training and Chinese-made vehicles to the police forces of some resource-constrained Pacific Island nations.
While all member countries of the Pacific Islands Forum generally endorse the agreement, each nation’s leaders can choose their level of participation, including whether to participate at all.