PM Manele and Albanese discuss visions for a transformational Australia-Solomon Islands partnership

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have discussed their vision for a transformational Australia-Solomon Islands partnership. 

A joint statement from the Prime Minister of Australia said the two leaders are committed to work together to achieve shared ambitions and overcome challenges through a partnership that is equitable and enduring. 

This approach will foster greater cooperation to assist Solomon Islands to strengthen its sovereignty and resilience and to move faster towards achieving its economic, development and security objectives.

Economic growth and job creation are vital for Solomon Islands’ future.

Australia is committed to creating jobs, delivering priority infrastructure and building prosperity for Solomon Islanders, through its longstanding economic and development partnership. 

Australia is a key tourism market for Solomon Islands and the leaders agreed to continue to work together to identify ways to attract increased international investment to provide secure and quality infrastructure for Solomon Islands. 

They noted the priority that Solomon Islands attaches to its Bina Harbour development. They welcomed the mutual economic benefits from the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme, which is also building important community and people-to-people connections. Leaders look forward to further deepening linkages through the new Pacific Engagement Visa.

Noting Australia’s position as Solomon Islands’ security partner of choice, the leaders discussed the request from Solomon Islands to Australia to assist in growing and building the capability of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, including the Solomon Islands Government’s ambition to increase its police force from 1,500 to 3,000 officers – a program of decadal change, which will support the Solomon Islands Government’s ambitions to grow its police force to 5,000 over time. 

Leaders asked ministers and officials to work together on next steps and to consider the basis on which this request could further strengthen sovereignty and regional stability.

ENDS///