๐€๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐š๐ฅ๐ข๐š’๐ฌ ๐ƒ๐ž๐ฉ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฆ๐ž ๐Œ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ž๐ซ ๐’๐ญ๐ซ๐ž๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž๐ง๐ฌ ๐“๐ข๐ž๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐’๐จ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฆ๐จ๐ง ๐ˆ๐ฌ๐ฅ๐š๐ง๐๐ฌ

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Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Hon Richard Marles MP, visited the Solomon Islands on January 18, 2025, reinforcing Australia’s commitment to its Pacific neighbor.

During his time in Honiara, Deputy Prime Minister Marles held discussions with Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele and Environment Minister Hon Trevor Mahaga. The visit marked his twelfth to the Solomon Islands and third in his capacity as Deputy Prime Minister.

Marles and Prime Minister Manele explored Australia’s ongoing support for the Solomon Islands’ economic growth, development, and security.

They highlighted the recent partnership to expand the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), announced in December 2024. This collaboration includes funding, training, and infrastructure to establish a new Police Training Centre in Honiara.

Marles updated Manele on progress at the Western Border Outpost, a key project designed to enhance border security. The first stage, delivered in December 2024, provided a whole-of-government office facility.

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP met with Hon Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele

“Having the Western Border Outpost at its initial operating capability provides assurance to the people of Western Province and across the Solomon Islands that Australia is delivering as Solomon Islands’ number one security partner,” Deputy Prime Minister Marles said.

The Deputy Prime Minister revealed that Australia is advancing further stages of the Western Border Outpost and planning for an Eastern Border Outpost in Temotu Province.

In discussions with Environment Minister Trevor Mahaga, Marles outlined Australia’s initiatives to address climate change, disaster resilience, and humanitarian needs.

Australia’s contributions include constructing the Provincial Emergency Operation Centre in Taro, upgrading the National Disaster Management Office in Ranadi, and building a humanitarian warehouse in Lata. These projects aim to improve disaster preparedness and response across the Solomon Islands.

Deputy Prime Minister Marles welcomed Solomon Islands’ plans to develop a government warehouse precinct at Burns Creek. They conveyed Australia’s readiness to partner with the Solomon Islands on this initiative to boost humanitarian response capability for the people of the Solomon Islands.

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP, concluded his visit at the RSIPF Maritime Division, where he met the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force officers and inspected aspects of Australia's support under the Defence Cooperation Program.

The Deputy Prime Minister concluded his visit by engaging with RSIPF officers at the Maritime Division. He inspected Australian-supported projects, including upgrades to the Aola Wharf, Maritime Force Headquarters, and a refurbished leaf hut.

Reflecting on his visit, Marles praised the warm hospitality of the Solomon Islanders. “It is always a pleasure to be in the Solomon Islands, one of Australia’s closest neighbors and friends,” he said.

The visit underlined Australia’s steadfast partnership with the Solomon Islands, focusing on security, development, and resilience against future challenges.

Media Release | AHC

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