Solomon Islands Roundup: Electoral petitions, ties with Australia and China, illegal pet trade

Ties with Australia and China

Australia's Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, expressed a desire for strengthened relations with the Solomon Islands, emphasising the importance of a regional environment where decisions are made freely, without coercion. This statement comes as China dispatches its representative to Honiara for discussions with the newly elected Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele. Highlighting Australia's role as the principal development ally of the Solomon Islands, Wong noted that the recent visits by high-ranking Australian officials to meet with Manele underscore the commitment to fostering closer bonds. These remarks were made during her visit to Honiara on Thursday, June 6, as reported by Reuters. "We want a Pacific Islands region where all of us can make our own decisions, can exercise our sovereignty without fear, and where we can all grow and live together peacefully," she told reporters on a two-day visit, also pledging $3.4 million for infrastructure for 40 schools.

Electoral petitions

The High Court is currently reviewing twenty-eight electoral petitions that dispute the outcomes of the Solomon Islands' elections held in April. The nation marked a milestone on April 17 by holding its inaugural combined election for both provincial and national representatives. According to the deputy High Court registrar, two of the petitions contest the election of provincial members, while the remaining twenty-six target sitting Members of Parliament. This situation indicates that over half of the legislators in the 50-member parliament are facing challenges to their election, reports RNZ. Notably, several prominent government officials are among those whose election is under scrutiny in these petitions.

Illegal pet trade

The Solomon Islands in the Pacific have emerged as a significant hub in the international trade of live animals. An investigation by AFP has uncovered that collectors from abroad are acquiring rare and sometimes legally protected species from the islands. Evidence from conservationists, governmental records, and United Nations statistics reveals the export of indigenous lizards to the United States, the extraction of wild birds from lush rainforests for transport to the Middle East, and the capture of dolphins for Chinese marine parks. While the trade of certain wildlife is permissible under law, stringent regulations or outright prohibitions govern the sale of endangered species.

Investment in education

During her visit to the Solomon Islands, Australia's Foreign Minister, Senator Penny Wong, made a stop at Mbokona Community High School in Honiara to engage with the school's community and inaugurate a newly established science laboratory. This laboratory is a feature of Australia's SBD 29 million investment in educational infrastructure improvements, a collaborative effort with the Solomon Islands and New Zealand. According to Solomon Times, the event was commemorated with the presence of the Solomon Islands' Minister of Education and Human Resources Development, Hon Tozen Leokana, alongside Minister Wong. “Australia is Solomon Island’s largest education partner,” Minister Wong said.

Boosting jobs through support for TVET

Australia's Foreign Minister, Senator Penny Wong, has unveiled a grant for 494 scholarships aimed at providing Solomon Islanders with the necessary skills and qualifications for employment opportunities both domestically and internationally. This initiative is part of Australia's ongoing development collaboration with the Solomon Islands, which has facilitated the creation of over 14,700 jobs since 2021, including those generated through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. As reported by Solomon Times, the announcement was made in the esteemed company of the Solomon Islands' Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon Peter Shanel, and the Minister of Education and Human Resource Development, Hon Tozen Leokana.