Australia’s contribution to the Solomons International Assistance Force

This week, we mark the return of the final Australian members deployed under the Solomons International Assistance Force (SIAF), after supporting the successful delivery of the 2023 Pacific Games and 2024 Joint Elections.

The SIAF was established after the Australian Federal Police and Australian Defence Force responded within 24 hours to Solomon Islands’ call for support in 2021.

Over the last three years, more than 1,600 Australian personnel have deployed to Solomon Islands, to work alongside military and police from Fiji, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand in support of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).

This is part of a tradition of Pacific forces working together to maintain peace and security, and respond to crises in our region.

AFP personnel will continue working in Solomon Islands with RSIPF counterparts providing mentorship, delivering assistance for major operations, and boosting capabilities through targeted training and exchange programs.

Our Defence Cooperation Program will continue partnering with the RSIPF to boost its maritime security, explosive ordnance disposal, infrastructure and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities.

As Solomon Islands’ number one security partner, Australia is honoured to have served alongside our Pacific partners as part of SIAF and we will continue to support Solomon Islands’ priorities.

Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:

“Australia has been proud to work with Solomon Islands as its security partner of choice, including by responding quickly to Solomon Islands’ needs through our Bilateral Security Treaty.

“Australia will continue working with the RSIPF to boost its maritime security, explosive ordnance disposal, border security, band, infrastructure, education and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities”.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“As Pacific family, we will always step in to help each other, and Australia is honoured to have served alongside our Pacific partners as part of the Solomons International Assistance Force.

“We share a vision for a peaceful, stable, prosperous and unified region, where security is the shared responsibility of Pacific Islands Forum members.”

Quotes attributable to Attorney-General the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP:

“The Solomons International Assistance Force has worked side by side with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force to strengthen law and order, support major events and build Pacific policing capacity.

“Off the back of the successful Pacific Games in 2023 and safe and secure Joint Elections in 2024 the Australian Federal Police will continue to build on its strong partnership with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force through our Policing Partnership Program.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“The Solomons International Assistance Force has again proved the Pacific Islands Forum family is best placed to meet the security challenges facing the region, with Pacific police and defence forces working side by side to build capability together.

“This was also a practical example of what Prime Minister Manele has set out in his three-tier approach to Solomon Islands’ security.”