Australia’s Partnership with Choiseul Province

This week I was honoured to join national and provincial leaders for Choiseul’s 35 th Second Appointed Day celebrations in Taro – and to witness firsthand the fruits of the partnership between our two nations. I was thrilled to visit Choiseul as part of a delegation led by the Minister for Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening, the Hon Rollen Seleso, and Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management & Meteorology (MECDM) the Hon Wayne Ghemu.

I thank Premier the Hon Harrison Pitakaka for his generous welcome, and for presenting Choiseul’s development journey and its aspirations for the future in such a powerful way. The Premier’s clear sense of purpose was reinforced by both Ministers, who understood well the needs of Choiseul – and how Australia can continue to play its role to support the province.

With Ministers Seleso and Ghemu and Premier Pitakaka, we officially ribbon-cut at the already functioning Australia/UNDP Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (PEOC) in Taro. This provides the headquarters for provincial and central authorities to use as a 24 hour base of operations involving health, police, provincial and community leaders. With natural disasters becoming more frequent and intense, the PEOC will help lead emergency efforts to ensure the communities of Choiseul receive the help they need, as quickly as possible, in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.

The PEOC is great – but the Solomon Islands Australia Partnership has been busier than just one project in Choiseul. Here is a taste of other things we’ve achieved there together.

Infrastructure

While in Taro, I got the chance to see the work underway – co-funded with New Zealand – of the Choiseul Bay Terminal refurbishment. This follows earlier Aussie- Kiwi support to complete upgrades to the runway, taxiway and ground lighting. It was great to see local workers on-site, delivering a new terminal that the community can be proud of.

Taro is a community well-connected too – and 2 nd Appointed Day was obviously an important moment to call family across the nation and overseas to celebrate. This joy was carried by an Australian-supported Our Telekom hybrid solar diesel telecommunication tower. Apart from helping families stay in touch, initiatives such as this ensure that even the most remote communities are part of this country’s digital future. Local companies built this infrastructure, creating over 50 jobs for Solomon Islanders.

Jobs and growth

I learnt in Choiseul that seaweed farming is an important source of income for many families. That’s why we’re working with local seaweed businesses to help farmers get the materials they need more easily and at a lower cost. We’ve helped connect these businesses with buyers in Australia and around the world, including through the World Indigenous Forum and the upcoming Vitafoods Expo in Europe. Over 104 tonnes of seaweed has been exported with the support of strongim bisnis – and I’m not surprised. It’s an amazing addition to the world of food.

Over 180 workers from Choiseul have got jobs in Australia through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme. Thanks to the money PALM workers send home, more Solomon Islanders are building safer houses, starting small businesses, supporting their families, and helping children access education.

Education and health

Our education and health programs are hallmarks of our partnership approach, where we work closely with local authorities to achieve Solomon Islands’ priorities. In health, we’re providing SBD 13.6 million to Choiseul in flexible provincial grants, supporting a team of provincial health advisors, and funding a biomedical laboratory a big step forward for disease detection which I was thrilled to tour this week. It was a real pleasure to be in Taro with PS for Health, Pauline McNeil, who is a Choiseul local and a passionate advocate for health in Choiseul and across the nation.

In education, we’re constructing school buildings at Papara CHS, Konamana CHS, St Joseph’s Moli and Kukele Advertist CHS. A 23-foot ray boat will help the province to support monitoring and professional development, and we’ve also provided 3,386 textbooks to enhance learning opportunities and outcomes.

Gender and civil society

I am keenly focused on promoting women’s economic empowerment, health and representation in leadership. Australia is supporting the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs to set up women’s savings clubs throughout Choiseul Province – and in Taro, I met Lucy who spoke to me about the impact of the savings club to help women’s financial needs. These clubs provide financial‑literacy, cash boxes, savings passbooks and other essential tools which help women in rural areas take control of their income, save successfully, and meet their family’s needs.

Through the Gud Tumoro: Komiuniti Tugeta for Lukautim Pikinini Project, we are also promoting positive parenting and long-term safety and support for children across Choiseul.

Community Partnerships

Since 2021, our Community Partnerships program has funded 20 projects across Choiseul, including Nukiki footbridge, water supply in Qome , solar lightning at the Panarui Women’s Centre , sanitation blocks in Rarakisi, and community halls in Arariki and Kovakoke and many more. I look forward to visiting communities in 2026 to see projects that improve lives and contribute to national development.

Applications for the next round of Community Partnerships are open until 8 March 2026 and I encourage communities to apply through our website – just search ‘Solomon Islands- Australia Community Partnerships’.

HAPPY SECOND APPOINTED DAY

San’oe varuka ramu bo’se ni Lauru ta non’itoroi dia tava p’ui (Second Appointed Day) – Mata varatupari napu!