BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Prime Minister Matthew Wale has arrived in Australia on his first official overseas visit since taking office on May 15, 2026.
Prime Minister Wale and his delegation departed Honiara yesterday and arrived in Brisbane ahead of a series of high-level meetings in Canberra later this week.
A statement from the Government Communication Unit (GCU) said, the Prime Minister is scheduled to meet Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a Leaders’ Meeting in Canberra on June 3.
The visit is expected to strengthen the Solomon Islands-Australia partnership through enhanced cooperation in regional security, economic development, climate resilience and other shared priorities.
During his stay in Canberra, Prime Minister Wale will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Albanese and meet several senior Australian Government leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and other Cabinet ministers.
Australian Opposition Leader Angus Taylor is also expected to pay a courtesy call on the Solomon Islands Prime Minister.
Accompanying Prime Minister Wale are Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister Rick Hou, National Planning and Development Coordination Minister Peter Kenilorea Jnr, Police, National Security and Correctional Services Minister John Tuhaika Jnr, Infrastructure Development Minister Rick Fuo’o and Education and Human Resource Development Minister Stephen Kumi.
Finance and Treasury Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo is expected to join the delegation in Canberra later this week.
Following the Australian leg of the visit, Prime Minister Wale and members of his delegation will travel to New Zealand.
In Wellington, the Prime Minister is scheduled to meet New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to further strengthen bilateral relations and advance development cooperation between the two countries.
The Government Communication Unit said discussions in both Australia and New Zealand will focus on strengthening partnerships and addressing shared regional priorities.
Prime Minister Wale and his delegation are expected to return to Solomon Islands on June 10.
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