PM Wale secures more assistance and promises from Australia in maiden international engagement
BY IRWIN ANGIKI
Prime Minister Matthew Wale’s choice of Australia as his first country to visit has paid off with hundreds of millions of dollars in aid and the assurance of support for his government’s agendas.
Both countries have also agreed to elevate bilateral relations, which Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said was at the behest of PM Wale.
A ‘comprehensive strategic treaty’ was also agreed upon, both leaders saying they have tasked their foreign affairs ministers to immediately work on.
A press statement by the Solomon Islands PM Press Secretariat yesterday described the treaty as a ‘key highlight’, adding that other highlights include:
-Australia will provide SBD$200 million (AUD$35 million) to assist Solomon Islands in responding to Tropical Cyclone Maila and addressing the problem of fuel price increase – impacts of global energy shocks.
-In recognition of the Government’s strong focus on education, Australia will double training and vocational scholarships to 1,500 by 2027.
-Australia will work with partners to support Solomon Islands goal of achieving free education, helping to secure a brighter future for the next generation.
-The number of Pacific Engagement visas allocated to Solomon Islands will increase to 300 in the next programme year.
-Both countries welcomed continued cooperation to strengthen the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, including the planned completion of a new police academy in Honiara by 2028.
-The policing partnership will continue under the next phase of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force–Australia Policing Partnership Programme.
Australia’s huge list of gifts for PM Wale was accompanied by words of gratitude by its leaders towards Wale choosing Australia to be his first country to officially visit as Solomon Islands’ prime minister.
In parliament yesterday, Australian PM Albanese welcomed PM Wale and his ministers to the Australian parliament and described Wale’s visit as an ‘honour’.
“This is a very significant visit for Australia indeed. One of the most significant that we have had during my time as prime minister that we could possibly have. Because the Solomons is of course very close neighbours to us.
“At a time of global disruption, respectful engagement between equal partners looking to solve shared challenges and seize shared opportunities is more important than ever – in education, in security, in tackling climate change and economic resilience and in economic development. Because it’s through these relationships based in mutual trust, respect and dialogue that we will build and strengthen our shared future as members of the Pacific family, and bring security and opportunity to our peoples,” Albanese told the Australian parliament yesterday.
The vibrant Australian parliament chamber which is an arena of heated debates over laws and domestic affairs, yesterday saw a rare solemn moment of unity among the legislators as they welcomed PM Wale and his delegation.
Albanese also said that he looks forward to reciprocating Wale’s visit later this year to Honiara.
A joint statement by the two leaders following their dialogue yesterday said Australia stands ready to support the agenda of PM Wale’s Government for Reform, Empowerment, Accountability and Transformation (GREAT).
“Both leaders also agreed to continue discussions on how Australia could further support the new government’s agenda based on the vision for the relationship shared by Prime Minister Wale with Prime Minister Albanese,” the statement said.
“Australia, as a committed and reliable partner to Solomon Islands and the Pacific, agreed to provide SBD200 million (AUD35 million) to assist Solomon Islands with the response to Tropical Cyclone Maila and the impacts of global energy shocks.
“In recognition of the priority Prime Minister Wale’s government places on education, Australia agreed to double the number of training and vocational scholarships to 1500 in 2027. Australia committed to work with all willing partners to help Solomon Islands achieve the new government’s goal of free education and provide the next generation of Solomon Islanders a brighter future. Leaders also discussed other opportunities to deepen the education partnership going forward. Leaders welcomed the impending opening of the Australian-funded Naha Birthing and Urban Health Centre in Honiara.
“Leaders celebrated recent growth in our economic relationship, including the contributions of Solomon Islands PALM workers in Australia. Leaders also agreed to increase the number of Pacific Engagement visas to be offered to Solomon Islands to 300 for the next year of the program. This increase represents a doubling of Solomon Islands’ Pacific Engagement visa allocation and will further strengthen people-to-people ties and encourage greater cultural, business and educational exchange.
“Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Wale reaffirmed the importance of the Solomon Islands–Australia security partnership. Leaders welcomed the continued partnership to grow the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, including the planned completion of a new police academy in Honiara in 2028. The Leaders agreed to maintain the policing partnership through the next phase of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force – Australia Policing Partnership Program.
“Noting Australia’s longstanding investment in Solomon Islands’ sovereign security capabilities, including multiple projects across the country, Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Wale acknowledged that Solomon Islands’ Western Border Outpost was nearing completion. The new facility will bring together police, customs, and immigration officials in a single location, enhancing Solomon Islands’ border security and maritime surveillance capability,” the joint statement said.
Photo credit: Australian High Commission (AHC)
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