Australia to Boost Security Assistance in Solomon Islands
Australia has agreed to significantly increase its security assistance to Solomon Islands, including expanding its policing presence and providing additional equipment to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF). This move comes as the Australian government seeks to bolster its strategic position in the Pacific amidst growing competition from China.
The agreement follows a request from Solomon Islands Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele earlier this year to double the size of the RSIPF. While the exact number of new officers to be funded by Australia remains unclear, the increase is expected to be substantial.
Australia's expanded security assistance also includes providing additional equipment to the RSIPF and increasing the number of Australian police officers stationed in the country. This move aims to address concerns about periodic civil unrest in Solomon Islands and strengthen the country's policing capabilities.
The announcement of the increased security assistance is expected to be delayed until early next year due to a no-confidence motion facing Prime Minister Manele in parliament.
Australia has a long history of providing security assistance to Solomon Islands, including leading the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) from 2003 to 2017. However, China has emerged as a major competitor in recent years, signing security and policing agreements with Solomon Islands in 2022.
Senator Penny Wong, Australia's Foreign Minister, has described the competition with China in the Pacific as a "permanent contest." The increased security assistance is aimed at ensuring that Australia remains the primary security partner for Solomon Islands and prevents China from filling any security gaps.
Australia is also exploring the possibility of assisting Solomon Islands in establishing its own defense force. Additionally, the government is preparing to announce a new agreement with Nauru to strengthen ties and confirm that the Commonwealth Bank will replace Bendigo Bank in providing banking services in the country.
The government is also working on an agreement with ANZ to maintain its presence across the Pacific and is expected to announce a $600 million deal to establish a new NRL team in Papua New Guinea. This deal includes a security element aimed at preventing China from establishing a major military or policing presence in the country.
These initiatives demonstrate Australia's commitment to maintaining its strategic position in the Pacific and countering China's growing influence in the region.