Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

on indulgence—I also want to warmly welcome my friend the newly elected Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Jeremiah Manele, and his delegation to the Australian parliament today. Prime Minister, we're honoured that you have chosen Australia for your first official visit.

We also very warmly welcome the fact that, on your election, you recently said Australia remains Solomon Islands' partner of choice and that you want to see our relationship grow to new heights. Australia is with you on both counts, and I know that I speak on behalf of everyone in this chamber to say that that is the case. I note that this morning you also met with our senior cabinet ministers, as well as the Leader of the Opposition and will meet with other people while you are here in Australia.

Australia and the Solomon Islands are close friends with connected futures. We share not only a vision for the Pacific that is peaceful, safe and prosperous but a common determination to act on climate change. We also share a commitment to the democratic values on which this House of Representatives stands and which, recently, with your historic joint elections that were held in April, Australia was pleased to play a role in supporting that important electoral process.

Thousands of Solomon Islanders have participated in the PALM scheme, benefitting families and Australian employers and linking our communities on a deeply personal level. We continue to work together on policing and defence, including through the enduring partnership with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force. Today, in the meeting that we had in our cabinet room, the AFP Commissioner indicated that the two boats about to be delivered to the Solomon Islands are purpose built and they will also be able to be maintained there in the Solomon Islands, making sure that they are the most effective way of delivering support for you.

We take pride in our community connections too, on an individual basis but also as members of the Pacific family. Australia firmly believes that the Pacific family must look after its own security needs. We believe very firmly that the Pacific Islands Forum is the pre-eminent body in which we come together and discuss our common interests, our common future and our common security needs. The discussions that we had today were very constructive.

Since your election, the Deputy Prime Minister has visited you, as has the foreign minister and Minister Conroy, who will be travelling with you tonight. Unfortunately, I think you have a Blues supporter here and a Maroons supporter over there. We won't be able to go with you this evening, but we wish you well at the MCG tonight in what will be an important Australian cultural event known as State of Origin. I note, Prime Minister, your diplomatic skills were on show when you indicated that you will be neutral this evening. That is a wise thing.

Prime Minister, our nations are so close. We share the Pacific Ocean as our home—certainly on this side of the great big continent that we have. We also share a future agenda. I look forward to working with you on that and, on behalf of the Australian parliament, welcome.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

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