The Latest Breaking News from Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands PM Manasseh Sogavare blasts Australia over criticism of China security deal

The Solomon Islands Prime Minister delivers a withering verbal assault on Australia, mocking the federal government's complaints about the secrecy surrounding the Pacific Island country's security pact with China.

ABC News · Apr 29, 2022

Solomons didn't raise issue over AUKUS: PM

Scott Morrison has hit back at criticism from the Solomon Islands prime minister over a lack of consultation on the AUKUS security pact.

AAP · Apr 29, 2022

Climate crisis – not China – is biggest threat to Pacific, say former leaders

Pacific Elders Voice group says military tension ‘created by China and the US and its allies’ are secondary to rising seas and catastrophic cyclones

The Guardian - AU · Apr 29, 2022

Home Affairs Minister rejects Labor's request for intelligence briefing following 'political interference' comments

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews dismisses demands from the Labor Party for an urgent intelligence briefing on the controversial security pact between China and Solomon Islands, after yesterday alleging the deal could have been timed to hurt the Coalition's electoral chances.

ABC News · Apr 28, 2022

Australia’s foreign minister denounces China’s ‘secret’ security deal with Solomon Islands

Marise Payne says other members of the ‘Pacific family’ share concerns but she rejects claims her government ‘dropped the ball’ in the region

The Guardian - AU · Apr 28, 2022

Solomons PM could use Chinese police to stay in power, key provincial adviser fears

Celsus Irokwato Talifilu says ordinary people also worried about being caught in a conflict between China and the US

The Guardian - AU · Apr 28, 2022

This is where we live: has Australia been a good neighbour in the Pacific?

I was once asked “why should Australians care about what happens in the Pacific? and my response was (or started with) "This is where you live”.

The Conversation · Apr 27, 2022

Labor ‘gravely concerned’ by Karen Andrews’ claim about potential China election interference

Kristina Keneally says home affairs minister must clarify comments or brief Labor on intelligence reporting of foreign interference

The Guardian - AU · Apr 27, 2022

Australian minister accuses China of election interference

A senior Australian minister is suggesting that China deliberately announced its security pact with the Solomon Islands during an election campaign to undermine her government’s chances of reelection

The Independent UK · Apr 27, 2022

Australia worried China will bring Hong Kong police techniques to Solomons

Australia's spy chief says Canberra is concerned Chinese police deployed to the Solomon Islands under a new security pact could use "ruthless" techniques previously used to quell anti-government protests in Hong Kong.

Reuters · Apr 27, 2022