Australia’s Pacific Alliance Network Set to Expand to the Solomon Islands

Australia is finalising a treaty with the Solomon Islands, a move that would extend Canberra’s growing network of Pacific alliances and mark a significant diplomatic win for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that the two countries had reached an “in-principle” agreement and planned to sign the deal in the coming weeks, citing unidentified government officials. Australia has also pledged A$980 million in additional funding for the Solomon Islands’ government, according to a leaked text message from the Australian ambassador reported by ABC.

The developments follow a political test for Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale, who recently saw off a challenge to his leadership from inside his cabinet. The rival withdrew over the weekend. Since taking office in May, Wale has shifted the country’s diplomatic focus back toward Australia and the United States, breaking with previous administrations’ tilt toward Beijing.

The Solomon Islands gained geopolitical prominence in 2022, when then-Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare signed a security pact with China. The agreement alarmed Canberra and Washington. Albanese became prime minister just weeks after it was revealed and has since worked to rebuild ties with Honiara while seeking to reverse the shift toward China.

Wale travelled to Canberra in June, and Albanese visited Honiara in July, announcing the start of treaty negotiations. The talks form part of a wider web of security and policing agreements Australia has established with Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, Nauru, Indonesia and other countries. Canberra is also strengthening security ties with Japan, including plans to purchase Japanese-made naval vessels.

Regional concern over strategic rivalry grew after China tested a submarine-launched nuclear-capable ballistic missile in the Pacific in early July. Australia, Palau, New Zealand and others condemned the test. At the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau last week, all but one of the 18 member nations signed a statement criticising the launch and demanding advance notification and transparency.