Australia has struck a new security agreement with Solomon Islands to bolster the size of the Pacific Island nation's police force. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the package would provide the Pacific nation with an "enduring sovereign security capability".
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00:00A low-key announcement.
00:04Good morning on this beautiful Canberra day.
00:06Of high consequence.
00:08A new foundation for Australia's security relationship with the Solomon Islands has
00:14been advanced.
00:15For decades, Solomon Islands has grappled with unrest, with Australia repeatedly sending
00:22police and troops to help restore order.
00:25In June, its Prime Minister asked Australia to help double the size of its own police
00:31force.
00:32I am committed to ensure our relationship with Australia goes from strength to strength.
00:38Now Australia's agreed to funnel $190 million to the force over four years to grow its ranks
00:45and set up a major new training centre in its capital, Honiara.
00:49Package will improve funding, training and infrastructure, support to grow the Royal
00:54Solomon Islands Police Force in a sustainable manner.
00:58It's not simple charity.
01:01China signed its own security agreements with Solomon Islands and Chinese police are rolling
01:06out their own training programs across the country.
01:10They won't be forced out under this deal, but the government believes it will reinforce
01:16Australia's position.
01:18It's about the capacity of the police force to provide security.
01:23And what that does is reduce any need for outside support.
01:30It keeps Australia in the game, but it doesn't slow down that pace of competition because
01:34Solomon Islands hasn't committed in black and white terms to Australia over China.
01:39There's a clear contrast between today's announcement and the more sweeping strategic packs that
01:44the government has unveiled recently with smaller Pacific nations like Nauru and Tuvalu,
01:50who have both agreed to give Australia effective veto power over their security decisions.
01:56What that demonstrates is that stopping China from getting a foot in the door when it comes
02:00to policing in the Pacific is much easier than forcing them out when they're already here.