Australia promises $250 million to Solomon Islands

Australia is to fund a $250 million (US$173 million) grants programme for the Solomon Islands, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Monday, as Canberra confronts growing Chinese influence in the region. Morrison, in his first overseas trip since re-election two weeks ago, unveiled the package amid talks with Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

It came in a three-pronged Canberra initiative with Defence Minister Linda Reynolds and Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne highlighting Australia’s push for economic security in the region. The grants programme, to cover a range of projects over 10 years, is designed to allow the Solomons to finance urgently-required infrastructure.

Further funds will be used to help Solomon Islanders access work opportunities in Australia and an initiative to assist with rugby union development in the country. “Australia and Solomon Islands will continue to work closely together to boost our engagement by strengthening community bonds and tackling common challenges,” Morrison and Sogavare said in a joint statement.

They added they were committed to “deeper cooperation” on defence and security “to make the Pacific region secure, prosperous, and stable.” Morrison announced last year a multibillion-dollar package for much-needed infrastructure in the Pacific and Australia recently funded a new underwater internet cable for the Solomon Islands to lock out Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei.