Summary of publication

On 14 August 2017 former Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and former Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Milner Tozaka signed a new security treaty between Australia and Solomon Islands. The treaty allows Australian police, defence and associated civilian personnel to deploy rapidly to Solomon Islands if the need arises and where both countries consent. It covers a range of foreseeable security threats, including natural disasters, and allows for third country contributions. This was Australia's first bilateral security treaty in the Pacific and replaced the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) treaty, which expired upon the withdrawal of RAMSI on 30 June 2017.

The treaty was tabled in Australia's Parliament on 16 October 2017, and entered into force on 13 June 2018.

Our Bilateral Security Treaty was activated for the first time in November 2021 following civil unrest in Honiara. Australia was the first country Solomon Islands called upon for support. From November 2021, Australia deployed AFP, ADF and DFAT personnel to work alongside partners from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand to restore law and order in Honiara.

Following a request from Prime Minister Sogavare, Australia agreed to extend our Bilateral Security Treaty assistance to support Solomon Islands to deliver the Pacific Games in December 2023 and the 2024 National General Elections. SIAF concluded on 18 August 2024.

Full publication

Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of Solomon Islands Concerning the Basis for Deployment of Police, Armed Forces and Other Personnel to Solomon Islands