From the High Commissioner’s Desk – Rod Hilton

On behalf of Australia, I extend warm congratulations to Malaita on your 42nd Second Appointed Day!

Australia and Malaita have a deep and thriving partnership across all sectors, built on decades of close cooperation. I would like to highlight some of the outcomes we have achieved together.

In partnership with the national and provincial governments and local communities, Australia is working to boost economic opportunities and economic development across Malaita.

We have delivered over 100 infrastructure projects across Malaita – from roads and markets to off-grid solar systems that are powering up communities. A new telecommunications tower in Pelau now provides reliable 3G and 4G connectivity to Malaita Outer Islands – a game changer for local economic development.

The opening of South Road was a particular highlight, allowing people to travel to Auki to access the market, healthcare and other services. It was an honour for me to open the road last year alongside the Honourable Ricky Fuo’o, Minister for Infrastructure Development. Our SBD11 million investment into South Road is part of a SBD60m
package of support to upgrade Solomon Islands’ national road network.

Whether it’s in telecommunications, roads or other key infrastructure, Australia is proud to partner with local contractors, creating jobs and opportunities for Malaitan businesses.

Since 2017, we have partnered with over 30 local businesses across Malaita. For example, Australia has supported Goshen Enterprise with infrastructure upgrades and new processing equipment for its first-ever taro processing facility, and we have partnered with LF & Sons to expand cocoa supplies to farmers in remote areas around Baegu in North Malaita. This kind of economic cooperation empowers growers to boost supply for markets, benefiting more local farmers, especially women and children.

Through the UN Women’s Markets for Change Project, we are helping establish a Market Vendors Association in Auki and an interim Market Vendors Association at the new Malu’u Market, which is currently under construction. We are also supporting the establishment of hundreds of women’s savings clubs across Solomon Islands, including Malaita, to improve women’s financial literacy through targeted training.

And Australia is supporting expanded skills and job opportunities for Malaita. Just this year 156 scholarships, through our Australia Skills Awards, have been awarded to students at the Malaita Provincial Technical Institute and Afutara Adventist Vocational School, helping equip young Malaitans with work-ready skills.

Under the Pacific Australia Labor Mobility (PALM) Scheme, 2,642 workers from Malaita are working across Australia in farms, abattoirs and aged care. I am always impressed by the contribution Solomon Islanders make to Australia, and the deep relationships they form with Australian communities. PALM workers build critical skills in Australia and send money back to local communities to support education, housing and local economic growth.

As we work to boost economic opportunities, it is essential to protect the environment. Our Climate Resilient by Nature program supports farmers in North Malaita to naturally restore forests, helping prevent erosion and increase biodiversity.

Similarly, Australia’s James Cook University is working with the Baru Conservation Alliance in East Kwaio to protect the unique socio-ecological systems that support traditional communities living on customary tribal land. I was pleased we were recently able to bring Chief Esau Kekeubata, founder of the Baru Conservation Alliance to Honiara to share his perspectives on climate change resilience at the Solomon Islands National University.

Through the Solomon Islands – Australia Community Partnerships program, Australia works with local communities to deliver small-scale infrastructure projects like multipurpose halls, school classrooms, health clinic upgrades, water tanks, sanitation facilities, solar lighting, footpaths and custom houses. These projects are deliberately
aimed at improving living standards, promoting inclusive growth, sustainable development, strengthening resilience and contributing to a stronger, healthier, and more connected Solomon Islands.

I am happy to announce that our second round of Community Partnership grants for 2025 is now open. I encourage you to visit our website to find out more.

Australia is also committed to supporting schools and teachers to strengthen learning outcomes for Malaitan kids. We have backed local schools and education providers with boats and vehicles to distribute 21,609 curriculum and textbooks, and build new classrooms, alongside Solomon Islands and New Zealand, at Manawai and Hunanawa community high schools. We’ve trained 456 teachers and supported 22 participants to undergo training on the ‘rights of persons with disabilities to access education’.

Australia is also investing in Malaita’s health services, committing at least SBD3.9 million through the Solomon Islands-Australia Health Partnership towards Atoifi School of Nursing and Atoifi Hospital. Since 2018 we have invested over SBD46 million in grants to improve access to essential health care in Malaita.

Through the Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Partnership, Australia has built a new humanitarian response warehouse in Auki. This new facility will increase the support available to communities in the first 48 hours after a disaster.  

The relationship between Australia and Malaita is deep and fruitful and I look forward to what more we can do together in the years to come.

Lukim iu neks taem!