Development assistance in Solomon Islands
Overview
Australia has an enduring commitment to supporting stability in Solomon Islands. As well as a desirable goal in and of itself, stability is critical to both economic growth and human development. Australia's programs in governance, justice and policing work towards a common goal: that communities in Solomon Islands are safer and experience better access to services.
Related initiatives
- Related initiative – Solomon Islands Justice Program
- Related initiative – Education Sector Support Program
- Related initiative – Addressing Gender Equality
- Related initiative – Governance Program
- Related initiative – RSIPF-AFP Policing Partnership Program
- Related initiative – Defence Cooperation Program
Solomon Islands Justice Program
Up to $20 million, 2021-2026
The Solomon Islands Justice Program works with all key justice agencies in Solomon Islands including the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, the National Judiciary, the Attorney-General's Chambers, the Public Solicitor's Office, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Police Prosecutions Directorate, Law Reform Commission, Solomon Islands Bar Association and Correctional Services Solomon Islands, as well as the Seif Ples Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Clinic. The Program's goal is that communities in Solomon Islands have greater access to a credible justice system that supports the rule of law.
The Justice Program has four components:
- Justice agency strengthening: Supporting the core aspects of the legal system including the courts and correctional systems.
- Legal policy and legislation: Building capacity for improved government legal advice and policy development and enhanced legislative drafting.
- Improving access to justice: Improving access to justice in the provinces and strengthening responses to family violence.
- Whole of sector strengthening: Supporting cross-cutting issues including improved gender and social inclusion in the justice sector, better human resource and financial management, professional development, and improved information management system.
Related documents
| Name of document | Year published |
|---|---|
| Solomon Islands Justice Program Design 2017-2021 | 2017 |
Education Sector Support Program
Up to $50 million, 2020-2025
The Education Sector Support Program is supporting the Solomon Islands Government to implement its Education Strategic Framework 2016-2030, and National Education Action Plan. The program is delivered in partnership with the Solomon Islands Government and jointly funded by the Governments of Australia and New Zealand.
The program's goal is to improve the quality and continuity of basic education which is accessible to all Solomon Islands children. Support is provided through direct budget support to the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, technical advisers and grants to non-government organisations (NGOs).
Related documents
Addressing Gender Equality
Up to $381 million, 2012-2027
The Solomon Islands Gender Equality program is working with the government, international and local NGOs and the private sector to improve the political, economic and social opportunities of Solomon Islands women and girls to end violence against women and girls. The program aims to reduce violence against women and girls and ensure:
- survivors of violence have access to support services and to justice
- women have expanded economic opportunities to earn an income and accumulate economic assets;
- women, and women's interests are increasingly and effectively represented and visible through leadership at all levels of decision-making, and;
- women have a stronger sense of their own agency, supported by a changing legal and social environment and through increased access to the services they need.
The program works in partnership with the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family affairs to support institutional strengthening, it provides funding and support to targeted service providers and violence prevention activities including supporting the national rollout of the SAFENET Response and Referral Network.
Related documents
| Name of document | Year published |
|---|---|
| Scoping Study on Women in Leadership and Decision-making and Management Response | 2017 |
Governance Program
Up to $57 million, 2022-2027
The Governance Program builds on the public financial management (PFM) and public sector reform gains achieved through the Solomon Islands Economic and Public Sector Governance Program (SIGOV) and Solomon Islands Governance Program 2017-2021. The Governance Program supports Australia's long-term national interests in Solomon Islands by working to embed inclusive and accountable economic governance.
The program is working to:
- Strengthen Solomon Islands public financial management and oversight;
- Improve domestic revenue and improve capacities in targeted areas, and;
- Strengthen inclusive democratic processes and expand opportunities for stakeholder engagement in public policy dialogue; and
- Strengthen relationships between Solomon Islands Government and the Government of Australia.
Related documents
| Name of document | Year published |
|---|---|
| Solomon Islands Governance Program Design | 2017 |
| Solomon Islands Governance Program: Independent Review of Ombudsman Twinning Support and management response | 2021 |
RSIPF-AFP Policing Partnership Program (RAPPP)
Up to $106 million, 2021-2026
The RSIPF-AFP Policing Partnership Program was developed collaboratively between the RSIPF, AFP and Solomon Islands’ Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services (MPNSCS). It is designed to support the RSIPF to become a committed, capable, and appropriately resourced police force that delivers an expected level of policing services across Solomon Islands. RAPPP aims to achieve these outcomes by embedding AFP advisors to provide hands-on mentorship to RSIPF counterparts; delivering policing infrastructure projects; providing financial, technical and enabling assistance to support major operations; and delivering training and exchange programs aimed at boosting RSIPF capabilities.
Defence Cooperation Program
The Defence Cooperation Program focusses on specific areas of Australian Defence Force (ADF) expertise including Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), maritime security and Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR). Activities include:
- delivering maintenance, training and funding for Solomon Islands’ two Guardian-class Patrol Boats;
- upgrading critical security infrastructure, including delivery of the Aola Base Wharf in Honiara, and construction of the Western Border Outpost and Eastern Border Outpost; and
- strengthening the RSIPF’s EOD capability and conduct of EOD operations in Solomon Islands, through providing infrastructure, equipment and training.
Australia has also delivered an integrated police, health, and disaster management radio (Solomon Islands Police and Emergency Radio Network (SIPERN)) network across Solomon Islands. This does not reflect the full contribution to the partnership with Solomon Islands under the Defence portfolio.