Doorstop, Honiara, Solomon Islands

SUBJECTS: Visit to Solomon Islands; Support for Royal Solomon Islands Police Force expansion; Australia’s engagement with the Pacific. 

RICHARD MARLES, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: Thank you for coming today. It’s an enormous pleasure for me to be here at the beginning of the year in Honiara. This is another step in the relationship between Australia and Solomon Islands. Today, I met with Prime Minister Manele and we had a really productive conversation. I also met with the Minister for Climate Change, Minister Mahaga and I’ll talk about that in a moment as well. My meeting this morning with Prime Minister Manele comes just weeks after Prime Minister Manele and Prime Minister Albanese signed the historic agreement between our two countries which will see a transformation in the partnership between Australia and Solomon Islands, in seeing an increase in the capability of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force. This will be a dramatic change, a dramatic and positive change for Solomon Islands in terms of its policing capability, which will have at its heart, the establishment of a training centre here in Honiara. But it will also really increase the police’s capability to operate right across the entire nation and we are really pleased to be able to support Solomon Islands in that endeavour. The next step in relation to this process is the signing of an MoU between our two countries which will see the detailed implementation of the agreement. It was the MoU that we were speaking about today between myself and Prime Minister Manele, and we committed today to seeing that MoU concluded as soon as possible and all the resources necessary to ensure that happen being made available. And we will certainly see that happen. What’s important to understand about the MoU is that it is very much being driven by Solomon Islands. That is to say we are seeking to address the priorities of the Solomon Islands government in terms of how we grow the Solomon Islands Police Force and how we see the development of the training centre. And so this will very much be placing the Solomon Islands government in the driver’s seat in terms of the conclusion of the MoU. But that is very much the next step in this process. 

Today we also talked about the ambition of the Solomon Islands government to establish a warehousing precinct here in Honiara. That is a precinct which will deal with humanitarian materials for humanitarian disaster relief. But not just that, a whole-of-government warehousing material which will deal with educational materials, medical materials. We are keen to partner with Solomon Islands on this project and I made that clear to Prime Minister Manele today and we will look at how we can take the next steps as two governments in terms of delivering the project with the Solomon Islands government on the establishment of a warehousing precinct here in Honiara.

I think both of these projects are examples of where our relationship is just a fantastic state and we are very grateful to the leadership of Prime Minister Manele in seeing the bilateral relationship between Australia and Solomon Islands taken to this place. We couldn’t be happier with where our relationship is at, the trajectory that it’s on, the closeness of our two governments, the way in which we are working as partners in delivering for the people of Solomon Islands. And that’s great for the people of Solomon Islands, it’s great for the people of Australia. It genuinely is a partnership between our two countries and I really want to thank Prime Minister Manele in his leadership in enabling us to be at this place in the bilateral relationship. 

With Minister Mahaga we spoke about the challenges of climate change, the visceral and existential way climate change impacts Solomon Islands, as it does all the countries of the Pacific. Minister Mahaga was at COP last year with Minister Chris Bowen from Australia and the two of them have been working closely together. And we will continue to partner with Solomon Islands on meeting the challenges presented by climate change, and helping Solomon Islands as we are helping the countries of the Pacific tell their story to the world, as countries which are on the front line of climate change. 

JOURNALIST: Chrisnrita Aumanu-Leong for the ABC. In terms of the MoU, are we anticipating this before the election for Australia? And when this security arrangement was announced last year there were rumblings here in Solomon Islands about Australia’s priorities, spending $190 million on security when for example we have– the country’s main hospital is a relic of the World War Two era? 

MARLES: Well we’ve been partners with Solomon Islands in relation to health over a long period of time. But in speaking with the Solomon Islands government; policing, maintaining domestic security, has been a key focus of its agenda, which is why we are so pleased to be able to partner with the Solomon Islands government in relation to this initiative. $190 million is a significant contribution over the next four years, and it really is going to deliver a transformational Police Force for Solomon Islands. And I think when you think about the history of this country, that is going to be hugely empowering for the nation in terms of providing peace and security here, which is ultimately the platform and the bedrock of building prosperity, of human development. And so we understand why this is a priority for the Solomon Islands government. We are really pleased to be able to partner with them. The MoU will be done as quickly as we can do it. I am reluctant to put a specific timeline on it. When politicians do that they always get into trouble. But the commitment that we’ve made today is that we are going to devote all the resources that we can to seeing this MoU concluded as quickly as possible. It really is the next step in seeing the agreement that was signed between our two prime ministers being transferred to– transformed into a reality. 

JOURNALIST: Following up on your response regarding our past, how do you see this partnership will address the root causes that we face with the tensions, beyond the capabilities of the Police Force? 

MARLES: I feel reluctant to answer that in detail as an outside observer other than to say this: that having come to this country on numerous occasions, I think today is my twelfth visit to Solomon Islands, I’ve seen a country deal with its own internal challenges in a really admirable way. I am only full of respect for what successive governments have done here, but what the Solomon Islands people have done in terms of pursuing security and peace here within the country. But clearly, having a functional, having a capable police force is central to being able to maintain law and order in any country, I mean, it is in Australia. And so I understand why this is a priority for the government here, as does the whole of the Australian government, which is why we do not hesitate to partner with the Solomon Islands government in pursing this objective and in doing so, in a transformational way. And having a highly capable police force, one that is well trained, with a world-class training centre, one that’s capable of operating across the entirety of the nation is a really big contribution to being able to maintain peace and stability in Solomon Islands. 

JOURNALIST: Just two questions. What does Australia stand to gain from this MoU– treaty that has been signed? There’s a lot of positive things for Solomon Islands, but does Australia stand to gain from this? And also secondly, was there any discussion in regards to the armament with all the discussions on security that have been going on?

MARLES: In answer to the second question, we didn’t speak about that today. What we stand to gain as Australians is having a stable, peaceful neighbour. Fundamentally, it is in Australia’s interest to see the human development advanced as much as possible throughout the Indo-Pacific. This is our neighbourhood and we want to see prosperity grow throughout the Pacific, we want to see that happen here in Solomon Islands. Having a capable police force in Solomon Islands which is run and operated here by Solomon Islanders, maintaining Solomon Islands’ own security, is hugely advantageous for Australia. I mean, it really is a win-win for both countries. Australia has made very significant commitments in the past, RAMSI being the obvious example, when there have been issues. And that’s the case throughout the Pacific. It’s an example of where we see that having a peaceful, prosperous, stable Pacific where human development is moving forward at a pace is something that is deeply in our national interest. And so this is very much a partnership that this government here is really wanting to move down this path in a really significant way. We see it as a real opportunity for Australia. And so being able to partner with Solomon Islands in respect of this is something that is going to be great for Solomon Islands, but it is going to be great for Australia as well. 

JOURNALIST: My first question is with Australia’s funding to the RSIPF, $190 million, what areas– can you provide details of what areas within the force will the funding go towards?

MARLES: So two points to make in respect of that question, I thank you for it. Firstly, at the heart of this is going to be the establishment of a training centre here in Honiara. So that’s really perhaps the most significant, substantive way in which I can answer the question. And the importance of the quality training and high-class training for police is essential in terms of enabling them to do their job. But the second point I’d make, and it really does come from the discussions that we’ve had today, in terms of the specific priorities and how the Solomon Islands Police Force grows, and it will grow as a result of this agreement, we really see that as something which should rightly be led by the Solomon Islands government. And they are in the drivers’ seat in terms of what priorities they want to see pursued first, and quickest, and in the most significant way and that is what will happen with the MoU that we will be working with the Solomon Islands in concluding as soon as possible. So training is a key part of it, but at the end of the day, we are here to respond to the priorities that are set forth by the Solomon Islands government. It is their Police Force which we are helping to support here and we are very mindful of that. 

JOURNALIST: The training, can (inaudible) capabilities that it will have? If so, what are they? And is there any timeframe or benchmark for Australia, because at the end of this agreement you want Solomon Islands to stand on its own, how far are you willing to go with us in this? 

MARLES: So again, in terms of the specifics, that’s really something that will be worked through in the MoU so I can’t give you any more in relation to that now. Again, I am reluctant to give you specific time frames but we are there for the duration. And you’re right, what we want to see is a Police Force which has Solomon Islands stand on its own two feet, which is capable, well trained and able to operate right around the country. And so we will be there for the duration, for as long as it takes. But this is a $190 million commitment over the next four years. It is a very significant contribution and we want to see this happen at a pace. And that amount of funding over that period of time speaks to the pace in which we will see the Solomon Islands Police Force improve its capability and start to grow. 

JOURNALIST: China has recently implemented its visa waiver for citizens from this country to travel. Does Australia have any plans, similar plans for Solomon Islands? 

MARLES: Look we didn’t have that conversation today but to be fair, visa access to Australia has been an ongoing conversation that we’ve been having with the Solomon Islands government, well actually, for as long as I’ve been engaging with Solomon Islands. And it’s obviously a really important priority for the Solomon Islands government and the people of Solomon Islands. We are very keen to look at ways in which we can increase mobility for Solomon Islanders into Australia and really the runs are on the board here. You can see our record in terms of the Labour Mobility Scheme, in terms of the Pacific Engagement Visa. Through both of these mechanisms over the last couple of years, it’s right to say that on this day there are more mobility pathways for Solomon Islanders into Australia than there has ever been. But this will continue to be a conversation that we will continue to have with the Solomon Islands government. We embrace that. We understand that access to Australia and access to the Australian economy is a really important aspiration for the Solomon Islands people and that’s something that we recognise, and an aspiration and ambition that we want to meet. 

JOURNALIST: The Chinese are also rolling out their security program with RSIPF. Is that a concern for Australia and if it is, was this raised in discussions?–

MARLES: Sorry–  

JOURNALIST: China is also working with RSIPF and rolling out their programs with the police. Is Australia concerned on this front and has that been raised with our leaders in your meetings?

MARLES: Look, we are very comfortable with our relationship with Solomon Islands and specifically with what we are doing in terms of our cooperation with the RSIPF. Obviously that’s the case in terms of the agreement that we’ve signed. And I really want to emphasise that. We could not be happier in terms of the way in which we are engaging with the Solomon Islands government on these matters, and that is how we think about it. We want to get our bilateral relationship with Solomon Islands right and I think our bilateral relationship with the country, between Australia and Solomon Islands, is in as good a shape today as I can remember it, and I’ve been involved in this relationship over a long period of time. We are very comfortable with that generally, and we are very comfortable with that specifically in terms of our engagement with the RSIPF. 

JOURNALIST: Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that the worst foreign policy blunder by the Morrison Government was going missing in the Pacific. So four years on, ahead of this years’ elections, you’ve just come off the back of Kiribati, and here probably just for the next five hours, but how do you see the elections playing out in terms of relationships with Solomon Islands and the Pacific? 

MARLES: It’s right to say that since coming to power in May 2022 we have wanted to make the Pacific a centrepiece of our foreign policy. We see our engagement with the Pacific as being front and centre in terms of how we engage with the world and I couldn’t be happier with the way our government has acted over the last three years in pursuit of that goal. Penny Wong as Foreign Minister has been more present in the Pacific than any foreign minister in our country’s history. That right there speaks to the priority that we are placing on the Pacific. Minister Conroy, the Prime Minister himself, I’ve been in the Pacific repeatedly. All of that activity speaks to how importantly we regard the Pacific in terms of Australia’s interests, in terms of our security, in terms of our strategic landscape, in terms of our world view. And that is not just a question of the visits we have made, it’s how we have changed the relationships that we’ve got with the countries of the Pacific. And the agreement that we signed between our two prime ministers in December last year around the RSIPF is the perfect example of that. I mean, it really will see a transformational capability be developed for this country in terms of law and order. We want to move the dial here in Solomon Islands, but across the Pacific on the various issues and challenges that the Pacific face. And at the heart of that is seeing a fundamental improvement in the human development of the people of the Pacific. And if you look at what we’ve been doing here, what we’re doing in PNG, what we’ve done in Nauru, in Tuvalu as examples, these are agreements which are transforming our relationships with those countries, but in the process, is raising the real opportunity to move the dial in terms of the human development of the people of those nations. Now I’ve just come from Kiribati, and it was my eighth visit to Kiribati, but first in quite a number of years, and it was really great to be there, to be in Tarawa. The conversations that I had there with the Vice President and a number of members of the Cabinet were really positive about how we can take that bilateral relationship forward, again, in a transformational way and dealing with the real challenges that are faced by Kiribati. And we will continue to do that with the Pacific as a whole, but country by country. And I really hope that what we’ve done in the last three years really has shifted the dial for our nation, for Australia, in terms of the priority it places on the Pacific. It’s something that we’re very proud of in terms of the work that we’ve done and I very much take my hat off to Penny Wong who has led this. But you can be assured that as we go into the election, that a re-elected Albanese Government will continue to place the Pacific front and centre in terms of Australia’s world view. 

JOURNALIST:  One last question, Australian funded programs like ‘Strongim Bisnis’ and ‘PHAMA Plus’ have (inaudible) millions of dollars in (inaudible) exports to the Solomon Islands economy. Are there plans to expand such initiatives to further stimulate local industries and trade?

MARLES: I missed the business at the start. 

JOURNALIST: ‘Strongim Bisnis’ and ‘PHAMA Plus’

MARLES: Look, we are very keen to do what we can in terms of working with the private sector here in Solomon Islands and again, across the Pacific. Seeing the private sector develop is really one of the key platforms in building prosperity. That’s the case across developing nations. And it has been a key focus in terms of trying to promote those relationships, promote economic relationships between Australia– companies in Australia and companies in the Pacific and that includes here in Solomon Islands and that will continue to be a focus.