CANBERRA — Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has hosted his Solomon Islands counterpart, Matthew Cooper Wale, in Canberra for what both leaders hailed as a “transformational” reset of bilateral ties, marked by the launch of negotiations toward a comprehensive treaty and an immediate AUD$35 million support package.
The visit, Prime Minister Wale’s first international trip since his appointment on May 15, 2026, signals a deliberate effort to elevate a relationship that both leaders acknowledged has faced recent strains.
“Solomon Islands is Australia’s friend, has always been and always will be,” Prime Minister Wale said at a joint press conference. “We have sought a reset in this relationship. We acknowledge there’s been problems over the last few years. We thank the Prime Minister that we’re able to elevate our relationship to a comprehensive strategic one where both sides will benefit by having trust in each other’s decision-making.”
Prime Minister Albanese welcomed the “new vision and focused energy” of his counterpart, committing to work closely on a shared vision cemented in a future treaty. The two leaders tasked their foreign ministers with leading negotiations “as expeditiously as possible.”
While treaty talks proceed, Australia immediately committed SBD$200 million (AUD$35 million) to assist Solomon Islands’ response to Tropical Cyclone Maila and to cushion the impact of global energy price shocks. Prime Minister Wale noted that diesel prices in Honiara had risen again that very morning.
In a significant boost to education — identified as a core priority by the new government — Australia agreed to double training and vocational scholarships to 1,500 places in 2027, and committed to working with partners to help achieve free education across Solomon Islands.
The economic and people-to-people links were further strengthened with an agreement to double the Pacific Engagement Visa allocation for Solomon Islands to 300 places next year.
On security, leaders welcomed the nearing completion of Solomon Islands’ Western Border Outpost, a joint police, customs and immigration facility, and agreed to continue the next phase of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force–Australia Policing Partnership Program. A new police academy in Honiara is scheduled for completion in 2028.
Asked about the Solomon Islands–China security pact signed in 2022, Prime Minister Wale revealed he had only received a copy the day before leaving for Australia. “I haven’t had a good look at it,” he said, adding that there is a non-disclosure clause, but that his cabinet would review it along with other security agreements.
Prime Minister Albanese affirmed Australia respects the sovereignty of Pacific nations. “We want Australia to be the security partner of choice in our region,” he said. “We want the Pacific family to look after our security.”
Prime Minister Wale, who is also current Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, reiterated that “the first reference point in these matters is within the region.”
The leaders also welcomed Solomon Islands’ signing of the Pacific Policing Initiative Memoranda of Understanding, enabling participation in the Pacific Police Support Group.
As the press conference concluded, Prime Minister Albanese invited Wale and his wife to The Lodge for a private dinner. “It will be a very pleasant evening,” he said. Prime Minister Wale, reflecting on the ceremonial cannon salute that greeted him, smiled: “I thought, blimey, it’s something else.”
