On December 12, Australia revealed a $600 million commitment to support Papua New Guinea's rugby league team, set to join the NRL in 2028. This funding marks a significant investment in the development of rugby league in the region over the next decade.
The Albanese administration has successfully negotiated a substantial security arrangement valued at $190 million with the Solomon Islands, marking a pivotal step nearly three years after the island nation established a security accord with China, which has caused significant concerns regarding Beijing's expanding presence in the region.
However, the fate of 14 Chinese police officers currently deployed in the Solomon Islands remains ambiguous, along with the implications of a security agreement finalized between the two nations in April 2022. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed that Australia intends to be the preferred security ally for the Solomon Islands.
During a joint announcement, Albanese and Jeremiah Manele, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, stated that Australia would extend a comprehensive support package to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force, which encompasses financial aid, training, and infrastructural enhancements. “Our declaration stems from discussions held between the prime ministers in June 2024, solidifying Australia's commitment as the security partner of choice for the Solomon Islands. The initiative aims to assist the Solomon Islands in developing a sustainable security capability, thus lessening its dependency on external partners in the long run,” the statement indicated.
Albanese emphasized, “Since we assumed office, we have diligently worked in the Pacific to foster better relations.” He further elaborated that in 2022, the relationship was at a notably low point, primarily due to the alienation felt by Pacific Island nations towards Australia's policies on climate and foreign relations.
Opposition foreign affairs spokesperson Simon Birmingham underscored the necessity for meticulous evaluation of the deal, especially considering the array of agreements forged between the Solomon Islands and China.
This $190 million deal, spanning four years, is the third significant agreement this month aimed at strengthening Australia’s ties with Pacific nations, following similar arrangements with Papua New Guinea and Nauru. The Albanese administration firmly believes that China should not have a role in the security dynamics of the Pacific region, and efforts are underway to bolster security partnerships with Kiribati in the wake of recent elections.
Nevertheless, government officials have remained reticent regarding whether the security agreement with the Solomon Islands implies that the 14 Chinese police officers will be withdrawn, or if this new agreement will supersede the security arrangement established by former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare with Beijing in April 2022. Sogavare, noted for his pro-China stance, was succeeded by Manele, who previously served as the foreign minister. Manele had to navigate a no-confidence motion in his parliament just three days prior, yet Australia is optimistic that the security pact will endure regardless of potential government transitions.
In response to inquiries about the continued presence of Chinese police officers in the Solomon Islands, Albanese reiterated, “We have agreements with the Solomon Islands that ensure Australia remains the security partner of choice.” It should be noted that the $190 million committed to the Solomon Islands is not dependent on the departure of any Chinese security officials from the nation.
The Solomon Islands aims to scale its police force from the current 1,500 personnel to 3,000, eventually reaching 5,000 officers. The accord with Australia is crafted to facilitate achieving this initial target of personnel enhancement.
Manele had originally shared the details of this agreement in the Solomon Islands' parliament earlier this week. The local police force faced significant challenges following riots in Honiara and the Malaita province in November 2021, driven by economic turmoil and rising anti-Chinese sentiments.
The security agreement signed by Sogavare with China included a provision for Beijing to assist in strengthening the police force, resulting in Chinese nationals being deployed to maintain order in the capital. Former foreign affairs minister Marise Payne faced criticism for her lack of engagement with the Solomon Islands during this period, an oversight that became a significant issue in the 2022 elections.
This recent deal with the Solomon Islands parallels a treaty finalized with Nauru on December 9, which prohibits China, alongside other nations, from establishing any security or telecommunications agreements in return for $140 million in financial assistance. Moreover, on December 12, Australia unveiled a $600 million support package over the next decade for the eagerly awaited Papua New Guinea rugby league team, set to join the NRL in 2028. This PNG agreement includes a clause allowing Australia to terminate the deal if PNG forms a security pact with China or other rival nations.
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