From the High Commissioner’s Desk – Rod Hilton

Record remittances offer bright futures for Solomon Islanders

The Australia-Solomon Islands partnership creates thousands of jobs for Solomon Islanders, including through the PALM scheme. I am always pleased to meet people like Zilla, a returned worker who has been able to build a house and pay her children’s school fees, and whose smile is a demonstration of the many success stories under our strong partnership.

The PALM scheme is improving the lives of more than 9000 Solomon Islanders who have gone to work in Australia in various sectors including horticulture, agriculture, meatworks and aged care.

Remittances that labour mobility workers sent home have been used for building houses for families in Solomon Islands. Simon, a returned PALM worker, stands proudly in front of his family home, which he has completed thanks to the earnings from his time working in Australia under PALM.

Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme is creating lasting economic benefits for Solomon Islanders.

As Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, I am proud to witness the tangible benefits that come from the strong partnership between our two countries. I am particularly heartened by the recent news from the Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) that Solomon Islands workers have sent home record remittances. Labour mobility workers, including PALM scheme workers in Australia, sent home a remarkable SBD475 million in remittances in 2024. This record amount represents a significant benefit for families and communities and highlights the important role the PALM scheme plays in improving the lives of Solomon Islanders.

I am also pleased to returned worker Audrey who have benefitted from working under the PALM scheme where she worked for two seasons, and she managed to renovate her family home and supported community projects such as contributing to a new church building along with other PALM workers from her community. This is a good way that the PALM scheme enabled Solomon Islanders to give back to their communities.

The money that is coming into the country is doing more than just boosting an individual person’s savings; it is directly improving living standards across the Solomons and strengthening Solomon Islands collective economic resilience.

Solomon Islanders who have gone to Australia to work under the PALM scheme have come from every province and have been employed in different sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, meat works, and aged care. These Solomon Islanders are learning new skills and are committing to their work to support themselves and loved ones at home.

unnamed — *Solomon Islanders like Sebastiano working in the agricultural sector are*
*gaining new skills and earning an income that supports a brighter future for*
*their families and communities back home.*

Surveys have given us new insights into how earnings are typically used by PALM workers. Families are investing in their children’s future by contributing to school fees, building or improving their homes, and starting businesses. These new businesses are particularly exciting, as they will lead to increased employment opportunities for more people here in Solomon Islands, creating a positive ripple effect throughout the economy.

The strong economic partnership between Australia and Solomon Islands underpins the Australian Government’s commitment to creating jobs and more opportunities for Solomon Islanders. These record remittances are a powerful indicator of a partnership that is supporting families, building communities, and contributing to the economic vitality of Solomon Islands.

Lukim iu neks taem!!