Solomon Islands: Bilateral treaty illustrates short-term opportunity for traditional partners

On 7 September, media reporting revealed that Solomon Islands and Australia had reached an in-principle agreement on a bilateral treaty expected to provide over AUD$980 million in additional funding. Proposed support includes AUD$280 million over the first two years and a further AUD$700 million in following years, covering education, health, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, skills development, natural resource management, and constituency development funds. AUD$142 million is allocated for PM Wale's signature free education policy. Officials have described negotiations as "substantively concluded," with an official signing expected in the coming weeks.

Assessment: Australia has entered into three bilateral treaties with Pacific countries in the last 12 months. Compared to his two predecessors, PM Wale has clearly prioritised traditional partners and been critical of Solomon Islands–China relations. His prime ministership is an opportunity for traditional partners to secure greater influence. However, as the August–September motion of no confidence demonstrates, this opportunity could close swiftly. This uncertainty is almost certainly driving the speed of negotiations, with an official signing expected around the November Australian budget.

Source: Stephen Dziedzic and Chrisnrita Aumanu-Leong, “Australia strikes in-principle agreement with Solomon Islands for new treaty”, ABC News, 7 September 2026.