Sogavare slams Australia for Aukus without Pacific input

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has slammed the Australian government for failing to consult with the Pacific nation ahead of joining the Aukus alliance.

Speaking before Solomon Islands Parliament, Sogavare said the country was not given prior warning Australia had signed up to a new security agreement that involved nuclear submarines.

The comments come in the wake of the Solomon Islands signing a security pact with China, a decision that has been criticised by Australia.

‘‘I learnt of the Aukus treaty in the media. One would expect that as a member of the Pacific family, Solomon Islands and members of the Pacific should have been consulted to ensure this Aukus treaty is transparent,’’ he said.

‘‘I realise that Australia is a sovereign country, which can enter into any treaty it wants to, transparently or not, which is exactly what they did with Aukus.’’

It comes after the Australian government accused the Solomons of not giving it notice about its security deal with China.

The security deal has become one of the leading issues of the election campaign, with the opposition accusing the government of dropping the ball on Pacific relations.

Sogavare said the Solomon Islands did not criticise the Aukus deal when news of the alliance became known.

‘‘When Australia signed up to Aukus, we did not become theatrical or hysterical about the implications this would have for us,’’ he said.

‘‘We respected Australia’s decision.’’ Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the government would continue to seek assurances from the Solomons government the new security deal would not lead to China building a military base in the Pacific nation.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said such a base in the Solomons would be a ‘‘red line’’ for Australia.

Sogarave took aim at Australia’s security treaty with the Solomons, saying it was inadequate after riots in Honiara were not contained.

Australia sent a peacekeeping force to the Solomons in late 2021 following the riots.

Sogavare said the riots ‘‘crippled’’ the country. – AAP nearly