Australia is the leading development partner working in partnership with the Government of Tonga, Tonga police and civil society to address family violence. Australia has expanded support to women and girls, including increasing efforts to prevent and respond to family violence.

We continue to provide support to democratic institutions including the electoral commission and members of the national media association.

Through the Australian Humanitarian Partnerships Program and Australia Assists, we are helping Tonga to build resilience to future disasters, with a focus on the protection, empowerment and inclusion of women and girls, and at-risk groups.

Australia has longstanding partnerships to enhance the capability of His Majesty’s Armed Forces and Tonga Police.

Related initiatives

Families Free of Violence

$4.2 million, 2022-2026

Implemented by the Australian Federal Police, Families Free of Violence supports a coordinated and integrated approach to strengthen the response to family violence in Tonga. The program works across multiple sectors and agencies in Tonga, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs - Women’s Affairs and Gender Equality Division, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Police and Ministry of Justice and local Non-Government and Faith-based Organisations.

Strengthening the Tongan Media Sector

$490,000, 2023-2026

In partnership with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the project aims to achieve a more professional, resilient, and diverse Tongan media sector in support of the community’s access to public interest media content.

Tonga Electoral Support Program

$650,000, 2023-2026

This program enables the Australia Electoral Commission to support Tonga's Electoral Commission to undertake community outreach, manage elections and build the capacity of electoral staff.

$16 million package to support Tonga’s long-term reconstruction

2021 -2025

In addition to $3 million for emergency relief efforts, DFAT provided a $16 million package to support Tonga’s long-term reconstruction and recovery from the Hunga Tonga – Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption and tsunami. In line with the Government of Tonga’s Hunga Tonga – Hunga Ha’apai Volcanic Eruption and Tsunami Disaster Recovery and Resilience Building Plan 2022-2025, the package is supporting rebuilding of critical infrastructure including telecommunications, roads, livelihoods, and key government services.