From the High Commissioner’s Desk – Rod Hilton

Congratulations Rennell and Bellona on your Second Appointed Day!

Australia’s partnership with Rennell and Bellona is growing stronger by the day, stretching across the province and in areas as diverse as community infrastructure, health, law and justice and environmental protection.

Being one of the remotest provinces in Solomon Islands, I know how important quality infrastructure is to improve livelihoods.

Since 2022, under the Solomon Islands – Australia Community Partnerships program we have worked with communities in Rennell & Bellona Province on projects which provide improved access to clean water, solar lighting and multipurpose community halls – resources that are fundamental to health, safety, and development.

This year there are seven further projects currently underway. These include: Matamoana Community Health Centre, Hatagua Community Hall, Bellona Health Centre (Nuku Clinic) Fencing and Sola Lighting, Pangangiu Community Hub, Taubangibo Water Supply Project, Solar Lighting for Provincial Headquarters in Tigoa and the Mata’ubea Community Hall project. 

Australia remains committed to working alongside Solomon Islanders to improve lives, strengthen local infrastructure and build resilient communities across the country. We will run another funding round in July of this year, and I encourage Solomon Islanders in Renbel Province to apply!

The Pacific Australia Labor Mobility (PALM) scheme has blessed so many lives in Solomon Islands. More than 80 people from Rennell and Bellona Province have participated in the PALM scheme, with more than 20 more in the work ready pool, ready to take on new opportunities!

Rennell and Bellona participants in the PALM scheme have been making valuable contributions across Australia’s farms, abattoirs, and aged care facilities- strengthening the economies of both Australia and Solomon Islands.

I know that participating in the PALM scheme gives people an opportunity to get a job, learn new skills or gain new qualifications, and earn money that they can send home to support their families and communities. In Rennel and Bellona, this money is being used to pay for school fees, build houses and start businesses, all of which creates opportunities for people in the community.

Australia is also working in environmental protection in this beautiful province.

Under the Kiwa Initiative, Australia is working with other donors to support local communities to better manage invasive species in the beautiful and globally significant East Rennell World Heritage Site.

At the request of the Solomon Islands Government, Australia is providing funding support for an environmental impact assessment in Kangava Bay. Having the best available scientific information about the unique plants and marine animals of Kangava Bay will help the Solomon Islands Government with their ongoing efforts to remediate the site of the 2019 oil spill and seek damages from those responsible.

Finally, in the law and justice sector Australia has been supporting the rollout of Charge Wording Book training for the Solomon Islands Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) Public Prosecutions Department officers on the ground in Rennell and Bellona.

This training equips DPP and RSIPF officers with best practice skills in investigations and prosecutions, promoting greater coordination between law and justice services.

Australia also continues to support in court circuit sittings in Rennell and Bellona ensuring greater access to justice for the people of Rennell and Bellona.

I look forward to visiting Rennell & Bellona this year to formally open some of our completed projects and visit other Australian supported activities across the province. 

Lukim iu neks taem!