Australia and Solomon Islands deepen ties following PM Wale’s official visit to Australia.
It’s great to be back in the Hapi Isles after Prime Minister Wale’s full ceremonial visit to Australia a fortnight ago. The Australian people – from our Prime Minister to the excited gaggle of primary school students at Parliament – were thrilled to host Prime Minister Wale and his senior Ministers from the GREAT Government on their first official overseas visit since forming government.
It was a festival of the Honourables as longstanding friendships and Ministerial connections were renewed: Minister Rick Hou (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade), Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo (Ministry of Finance and Treasury), Minister Peter Kenilorea Jr (Ministry of National Planning and Development), Minister Ricky Fuo’o (Minister Infrastructure Development), Minister John Tuhaika (Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services) and Minister Steven Kumi (Ministry of Education and Human Development) met Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles (Minister for Defence), Minister Penny Wong (Minister for Foreign Affairs), Minister Tony Burke (Minister for Home Affairs), Dr Jim Chalmers (Treasurer of Australia), Minister Chris Bowen (Minister for Climate & Energy Party), Minister Pat Conroy (Minister of Pacific Island Affairs), Minister Anne Aly (Minister for International Development) and Assistant Minister Nita Green (Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs).
While Prime Minister Wale (and all of us) felt the winter chill of Canberra, the welcome couldn’t have been warmer – from his red carpet arrival through to a First Nations smoking ceremony by local Ngunnawal elders, followed by a full ceremonial military welcome in the forecourt of Parliament House. Prime Minister Albanese was delighted to have the opportunity to meet and hold detailed discussions with his new Solomon Islands counterpart, whom he greeted as a true friend. Prime Minister Albanese, the Leader of the Opposition and countless Australian Members of Parliament came over to welcome Prime Minister Wale and his delegation on the floor of Parliament during Question Time. The day concluded with dinner at Prime Minister Albanese’s residence.
The positive atmosphere was buoyed by a real sense of momentum for our relationship, underpinned by both Prime Ministers’ wish to bring about transformational change. The joint statement issued after the meetings underlined the two countries’ longstanding and growing ties, and committed both sides to commence negotiations towards a comprehensive treaty to capture the two countries’ joint ambition for the bilateral relationship.
As a demonstration of Australia’s status as a steadfast partner, Prime Minister Albanese announced SBD200 million in assistance to Solomon Islanders to assist with the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Maila and global energy shocks.
Recognising Prime Minister Wale’s priority on education, Australia announced a doubling of training and vocational scholarships available to Solomon Islanders, to a total of 1500 in 2027, thereby underwriting training for an additional 750 Solomon Islanders in the nation’s rural training centres. There will also be a doubling of the number of Pacific Engagement Visas to be offered to Solomon Islands to 300 places next year, providing a significant boost to a program that further strengthens people-to-people linkages. Prime Minister Wale’s engagement with PALM scheme employers also underlined the strengths and skills of Solomon Island workers, whose remittances are an important contributor to their home economy. Just as importantly, PALM continues to build skills that will contribute towards a stronger local economy which will provide more jobs for Solomon Islanders.
Prime Minister Wale’s visit also included some important announcements and commitments around Solomon Islands’ regional engagement and leadership at a time when Solomon Islands is Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum. The signing of the Memoranda of Understanding on the Pacific Policing Initiative was a strong sign of a strengthened regional focus. After Canberra, Prime Minister Wale joined the Australian Federal Police’s Commissioner, Krissy Barrett APM, on a visit of the impressive Pinkenba Training Centre in Brisbane, where members of Pacific police forces train together.
It is an exciting moment to be in Solomon Islands to build-up our shared ambitions for the future. I look forward to keeping you all updated as we work to elevate this truly important relationship.
Lukim yu neks taem!
