Solomon Islands: Australia-Solomon Islands policing agreement likely to continue to be delayed until Australian obligations watered down
Around 25 November, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele told media that the delayed signing of a $AUD190 million policing agreement with Australia is due to unresolved “language in the agreement.” PM Manele stated that no timeline has been set to reach an agreement originally announced in December 2024. Earlier in March 2025, some Solomon Islands officials privately accused Australia of using the agreement to halt China’s policing support. PM Manele suggested that Australia funded projects in policing could proceed without formally signing an agreement.
Assessment: PM Manele’s comments indicate the Solomon Islands negotiating objective is likely to gain the resource support offered by the agreement without reciprocal policy obligations or limits to Australia (Australia’s similar security agreements with Nauru and Tuvalu give Australia veto powers over those countries’ security decision-making). The government’s stance is likely driven by three factors: maintaining flexibility to receive support from any foreign partner, historic animosity toward Australia, and indirect influence from China (see SPI #21, 8-21 May 2025). Australia has the more difficult path as China simply needs to convince Solomon Island politicians to delay and do nothing to maintain the status quo.
Sources: Stephen Dziedzic and Liam Fox, “Solomon Islands and Australia's $190 million policing deal delayed over 'language' disagreement,” ABC, November 25, 2025; Stephen Dziedzic, “Australia unveils $190 million security deal for Solomon Islands,” ABC, December 19, 2025; Chrisnrita Aumanu-Leong and Stephen Dziedzic, “Solomons Islands PM takes aim at Trump's climate position, says 'differences' remain with Australia over policing,” ABC, March 13, 2025.
