Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for International Development and the Pacific) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Fawcett. It is in the national interests of both Australia and the Solomon Islands to continue to work together to ensure that the gains made under RAMSI are preserved. We have provided a post-RAMSI package of $141 million, consisting, basically, of three components: stability, economic growth, and human development. We will be having a justice program and a governance program and will continue to assist the Solomon Islands police.

Today, the Solomon Islands and Australia have signed a bilateral treaty which will allow Australia and the Solomon Islands to cooperate on security and defence matters. More importantly, may the events of RAMSI never happen again. But our security treaty is not just about security; it's also about going in to help our neighbours, particularly in times of humanitarian disasters.