MANELE MEETS AUSTRALIA’S SENIOR LEADERS, VISITS POLICING FACILITY, AND CHEERS ON NSW BLUES

On 26 June 2024, Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Jeremiah Manele was welcomed at Australian Parliament House by the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese MP. In their meeting, the two leaders discussed their vision for a transformational Solomon Islands – Australia Partnership.

They also discussed the importance of economic growth and job creation for Solomon Islands’ future, and welcomed the mutual benefits from the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme.

While in Canberra, Prime Minister Manele also met with five other members of Australia’s senior leadership, including Australia’s Foreign Minister, Senator the Honourable Penny Wong.

Foreign Minister Wong visited Solomon Islands earlier this month and was pleased to welcome Prime Minister Manele on his first international visit as Prime Minister. As Foreign Minister Wong said when she visited Honiara, Australia is committed to Solomon Islands as its nambawan economic and security partner.

Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Honourable Richard Marles MP also met Prime Minister Manele, hosting the delegation for lunch at Parliament House. Like Foreign Minister Wong, Deputy Prime Minister Marles has also visited Solomon Islands recently. Their discussions reflected the close and enduring relationship between Australia and Solomon Islands, and its contribution to a peaceful and prosperous region.

Finally, Prime Minister Manele, Foreign Minister, Peter Shanel Agovaka, and Minister for National Planning and Development Coordination, Rexon Ramofafia met Australia’s Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator the Honourable Simon Birmingham. This meeting with Australia’s Opposition party marked another opportunity to strengthen the ties between our two countries. They discussed important issues, including regional stability and opportunities for economic growth.

On Wednesday night, Prime Minister Manele was at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Victoria, where he cheered on the New South Wales Blues as they defeated the Queensland Maroons 38-18 in State of Origin Game 2. Prime Minister Manele was hosted by Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy MP.

On the final day of the formal program, Prime Minister Manele was back in Queensland where he and Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Reece Kershaw toured the AFP’s Specialist Operational Training Centre in Pinkenba, Queensland. The tour highlighted the work underway to fit-out the facility which will offer operational safety training, public order management, investigations training, close personal protection, canine and forensics capabilities as well as training in surveillance techniques.

AFP Commissioner Kershaw said the Specialist Operational Training Centre showcased the capabilities the AFP could provide to Pacific police forces, in addition to the AFP’s in-country policing partnerships.

“Solomon Islands is one of Australia’s closest neighbours and a vital partner in the Pacific. The AFP has supported Solomon Islands in the development of a strong, responsive policing capability since 2003, and we will maintain that commitment into the future.

In the past year the AFP has assisted the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in the safe celebration of the 2023 Pacific Games, as well as the Joint Elections held in April 2024.

The visit followed Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Manele discussing the request from Solomon Islands for Australia to assist in growing and building the capability of the RSIPF to further strengthen sovereignty and regional stability.

Prime Minister Manele also met Queensland’s Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick MP. As its entry point to Australia, Solomon Islands has special relationship with Queensland. The two leaders discussed trade and investment opportunities to grow that relationship.

Prime Minister Manele will conclude his program in Australia today.