The Australian government presented the Police Patrol Vessel Minigulai to the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Tuesday, hailing the move as a symbol of greater cooperation between PNG and Australia.

In his speech at the Commissioning Ceremony of PPV Minigulai in Port Moresby, Attorney General Mark Dreyfus said the agreement "represents an enhanced enduring partnership that equips us to tackle new and emerging security challenges".

"The commissioning of PPV Minigulai is another milestone in the long relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea. The commissioning of this vessel – with the support of both the AFP and Tasmania Police – highlights the enduring collaboration between our law enforcement agencies to combat transnational and organised crime," he said.

"This commissioning further demonstrates Australia's commitment to assisting the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary to address transnational crime, and to support joint cross-border operations. through the expanded Papua New Guinea - Australia Policing Partnership."

The two governments aim to enhance cross border patrols of the Torres Strait region between Papua New Guinea and Australia.

The PPV Minigulai was purchased by the Australian Federal Police from the Tasmanian Police Force and was presented to the RPNGC on behalf of the AFP during Mr Dreyfus's visit to Port Moresby for the 30th Australia-PNG ministerial forum.

The AFP will work with the RPNGC water police department in training its members to crew the vessel.

The commissioning of the PPV Minigulai follows the renewal of the PNG-Australia Policing Partnership until 2026, the AFP's largest bilateral partnership across the globe.

Over the next four months, more than 60 RPNGC cadets will travel to Australia to undertake training with the Queensland Police Service and attend the Australian Institute of Police Management.

The AFP, through the PNG-Australia Policing Partnership Program, has also commenced provision of "less than lethal use of force" training and provision of "less than lethal" munitions and equipment to the RPNGC.

The AFP has also agreed to support the RPNGC with the construction of police housing across priority provinces commencing with the construction of police barracks-styled accommodation in Port Moresby, Kokopo and Mount Hagen as the first phase of the initiative, which will allow RPNGC recruits to be placed in regional centres upon graduation.

Mr Dreyfus said the commissioning of the PPV Minigulai, and the enhanced cooperation between the AFP and RPNGC, will "clearly demonstrate the strength of the ties between Australia and Papua New Guinea, and the depth of our work together – in policing as in so many areas across government and our nations".