Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Payne. I refer to the reports that the Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Mr Sogavare, has told his parliament a security agreement between the Solomon Islands and China has been finalised and 'the document is ready for signing'. When did the Australian government first become aware that China and the Solomon Islands were negotiating a security agreement, and what action did the Australian government take in response?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Wong for her question. We have been aware of increasing interest with engagement with China in the Solomon Islands for some time, and we have absolutely and consistently demonstrated that Australia is always ready to support the Solomon Islands, together with members of the Pacific family, particularly in our work together.

The most recent demonstration of that is the strength of the response of Australian, New Zealand, Papua New Guinean and Fijian representatives as part of the Solomon Islands Assistance Force in November of last year, which deployed more than 200 AFP, Defence Force and DFAT personnel to assist in the restoration of law and order. About 50 members of the ADF, the AFP and DFAT remain deployed in those tasks in the Solomon Islands.

On 24 March, the Solomon Islands Prime Minister also announced that we will be extending our bilateral security treaty assistance to support and assist the Solomon Islands in preparing for the Pacific Games, which will be in December 2023 and that we will construct a second patrol boat outpost on the Solomon Islands' eastern border. That is in addition to the Western Border and Patrol Boat Outpost in the Shortland Islands. We'll also build an integrated police, health and disaster management radio network across the Solomon Islands. These are matters—particularly the latter, the radio network—which have been under discussion with Solomon Islands officials for a period of time. For example, Minister Andrews and I participated in a bilateral security meeting with Foreign Minister Manele and the police minister some months ago, in its regular rotation as part of that process. I would also say to the chamber that we've been clear— (Time expired)

Slade Brockman (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong, a supplementary question?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) | Link to this | Hansard source

tor WONG (—) (): Article 1 of the reported draft framework agreement states:

… the relevant forces of China can be used to protect the safety of Chinese personnel and major projects in the Solomon Islands.

What do the minister and the government understand article 1 of the reported draft agreement to mean?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

I note, in respect of the articles themselves, that they're obviously not matters to which the Australian government is a party in their preparation or their progression. We've been clear and have regularly and respectfully raised our concerns with the Solomon Islands government about these matters of security engagement. It is particularly concerning to us that there may be associated with this any actions that undermine the stability and the security of our region, as I have said previously and repeated in public comments in recent days. We believe that the Pacific family, in the broad, is best placed to provide security assistance to the Solomon Islands, and we stand ready to assist further if that is needed. We have been explicitly and emphatically clear in relation to that—and, in fact, not just in words, because that is what our deeds demonstrate in all of our actions in relation to engagement on these matters with Solomon Islands. (Time expired)

Slade Brockman (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Wong, a second supplementary question?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) | Link to this | Hansard source

Can the minister confirm that Australian bilateral Official Development Assistance to Solomon Islands has been cut by $41.8 million, or 21 per cent, since budget 2018-19?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Seselja is right, but that is a misrepresentation. It does not incorporate consideration of Australia's construction of the Coral Sea cable from Honiara to Sydney, and also, of course, to Port Moresby. What the senator also completely ignores—

Honourable senators interject ing—

Slade Brockman (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

So I would say—

Honourable senators interjecting—

Slade Brockman (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, resume your seat. Order in the chamber! Interjections are always disorderly. Please, let's hear the minister speak. Minister, you have the call.

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

It is unlikely that some of the interjections from the other side that I can hear are audible more broadly, particularly on the broadcast. But those opposite have indicated in recent weeks their strong commitment to bipartisanship in matters of foreign policy. I fail to see that demonstrated here today.