Solomon Islands PM Wale Proposes Pacific-Wide Security Treaty in First Australia Visit
"Change is coming," Wale declared after his election, describing the necessary reforms as "potentially painful."
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale visited Australia in early June 2025 for talks with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, during which he proposed a Pacific-wide security treaty and provided updates on the status of the 2022 security pact with China. The visit was Wale's first official trip to Canberra since being elected prime minister in May 2025.
Leadership Change and Domestic Context
Matthew Wale was elected Prime Minister of Solomon Islands on May 30, 2025, winning a secret parliamentary vote 26 to 22 against Peter Shanel Agovaka. He succeeded Jeremiah Manele, who had been removed from office the previous week in a no-confidence vote. Wale had served as opposition leader in parliament for two decades and was a vocal critic of the 2022 security pact with China.
In his first statement after the election, Wale said he was taking office "at a difficult time" and that the country was "not immune from the impacts of these geopolitical events." He stated his government would serve the public and asked citizens to hold it accountable, adding that "change is coming" and describing the changes as "necessary and potentially painful."
Solomon Islands faces domestic challenges including a young underemployed population, a strained health system, a declining logging industry, and rising public debt.
Status of the China Security Pact
On June 4, 2025, Wale stated that his government cannot legally publish the 2022 security agreement with China because the previous government under Manasseh Sogavare included a non-disclosure clause that binds the current administration. He noted that any disclosure would require written consent from China.
Wale had previously criticized the pact during his time in opposition, at one point calling for its revocation. However, he has since stated that he will review rather than dismantle the agreement. Political observers expect his government to maintain existing relations with both China and Australia.
Wale announced plans to change parliamentary rules to require future treaties to be made public and subject to parliamentary scrutiny.
Proposed Pacific-Wide Security Pact
During his visit to Canberra, Wale proposed the creation of a Pacific-wide security treaty. He raised the proposal with Prime Minister Albanese, according to sources. Wale holds the chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) until September 2025 and suggested using that position to advance regional discussions on the proposal.
Australia and New Zealand have not yet indicated support for the idea. A federal government source did not criticize Wale's proposal but emphasized that the current focus is on finalizing a bilateral treaty with Solomon Islands.
Analysts have noted both potential benefits and risks:
- Oliver Nobetau of the Lowy Institute remarked that a regional pact could "easily backfire" without broad Pacific buy-in.
- Anna Powles of Massey University raised questions about the pact's legal nature, oversight, and purpose in the event of regional crises.
Wale is expected to discuss the idea with Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.
Negotiations for a New Australia-Solomon Islands Treaty
Wale confirmed that a new bilateral treaty with Australia is being negotiated. He stated that the treaty is expected to create clear obligations for both countries and reduce distrust. He compared the proposed framework to Australia's Falepili Union with Tuvalu and existing agreements with Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji.
As part of the negotiations, Wale indicated he will seek visa-free access for Solomon Islands citizens. He reported that Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has been positive about easing visa rules.
The meeting with Prime Minister Albanese was expected to cover education, health, economic diversification, and climate resilience in addition to security cooperation.
Bilateral Relations and International Reactions
Australia is Solomon Islands' largest development partner, with programs in health, education, infrastructure, and security. Prime Minister Albanese congratulated Wale on his election and expressed interest in strengthening economic, development, and security ties.
Shadow Foreign Minister Ted O'Brien called for resumed bipartisan trips to the Pacific. Foreign Minister Penny Wong criticized the Coalition's record and its opposition to the Pacific Engagement Visa lottery system. O'Brien did not rule out changing the Coalition's position but said he was not convinced by the government's arguments.
Wale appointed former prime minister Rick Hou as foreign minister, choosing him over the more China-critical candidate Peter Kenilorea. Wale has stated a desire to maintain a "friends to all, enemies to none" policy and has not criticized Beijing. In 2025, leading a delegation to Beijing, Wale praised China's economic development and stated his party supports the one-China principle.