Scott Morrison visits Solomons, prepares to unveil infrastructure aid
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Scott Morrison is set to announce a $250 million grants program for the Solomon Islands and an easier path for islanders to get work in Australia.
Mr Morrison is the first Australian prime minister to visit the Solomons in a decade.
He and his wife Jenny arrived in Honiara on Sunday, ahead of travelling to the UK and Singapore over the next week with a packed agenda.
His focus will be renewing ties with old friends on his first trip overseas since being re-elected after the coalition’s unexpected May 18 poll win.
“In the Pacific, stepping up is all about showing up,” Mr Morrison said.
“That’s why I am pleased that my first official visit after the election is to our own neighbourhood, where we can always make the most difference.”
As well as meeting Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in Honiara on Monday, Mr Morrison will unveil a bilateral infrastructure program worth up to $250 million in grant financing over 10 years.
The program will support key national and economic infrastructure and will complement the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific.
It is understood the program will allow the Solomons government to quickly finance smaller, urgently-required infrastructure that it would be unwilling to borrow in order to fund.
Australia will also support the building of a new complex to hold the prime minister’s office and the foreign affairs and trade ministries in Honiara.
As well, $2.7 million will be provided over three years to help islanders considering work opportunities in Australia cover their up-front costs such as passports.
A sports funding package will boost the participation of women and girls in rugby and support elite-level athletes prepare for international events.
Upon his arrival a lone protester was spotted holding a “Stop Adani” sign, opposing the building of a controversial central Queensland coal mine.
Climate change is expected to feature in talks with Solomons officials.
Mr Morrison’s trip to the Pacific comes just weeks after leaders in the region met to try to increase international efforts towards climate change.
It is the first visit by an Australian prime minister since 2008 and events will mark the long co-operation between the nations during the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), which formally ended in 2017.
On his arrival Mr Morrison said the Solomon Islands is “one of the closest members of our Pacific family”.
“After serious civil unrest, Australia and other regional friends helped re-establish law and order through the RAMSI operation that has seen their country restore their democracy and get their debt under control.”
Having been formally welcomed at the airport, the Morrisons attended an informal barbecue at the home of the Australian high commissioner.
Article source: https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/federal/turnbull-condemns-nazi-flag-on-army-vehicle-in-afghanistan-20180614-p4zlcw.html?utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_politics_federal
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