Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia, His Excellency, Mr. Robert Sisilo, was full of praises of the Captain and Commanding Officer and the 20 crews of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Vessel (RSIPV) Taro when he accepted and received the new patrol boat from the Government of Australia at the Handover Ceremony held on Friday last week in Perth, Western Australia.
With the COVID-19 restrictions easing, Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia Mr. Robert Sisilo, is reaching out to small and medium enterprises investing in Solomon Islands. Kokonut Pacific Australia (KPA), based in Queanbeyan, New South Wales, in joint-venture with Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands (KPSI) since 2004, was Mr. Sisilo’s first port of call last month.
The “Pacific Step-Up” is one of Australia's foreign policy priorities highlighted in its 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper and 2016 Defence White Paper as of fundamental importance. This is to engage with Solomon Islands and other Pacific Island Countries at a new level, launching a new chapter in their relations. Hence the Pacific/Aus Sports Initiative.
The Solomon Islands High Commission in Canberra had the unique opportunity to introduce two young women students from the Australia National University (ANU) to the world of diplomacy and politics. On 28 October, for a one day event, the Girls Leadership Network (TGLN) matches participants with High Commissions and Embassies in Canberra and give them the chance and opportunity to experience work at the Missions.
On the 21st October, the Solomon Islands Consulate General in Brisbane, Australia, Mr Kereta Sanga, presented the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) International Law Enforcement Cooperation Medal (ILEC) to Mr Paul Johnstone, a former Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) officer who served in Solomon Islands in 2007.
On the 21st October, Solomon Islands Immigration officers, Mr Johnson Oge andMr Richard Manuroho, participated in a half day passports training at the Australian Passport Office in Brisbane.
On the 1st September 2020 Sir Bruce and Lady Keithie Saunders paid a courtesy call on the Consul-General of Solomon Islands to Australia,
On the morning of the 21st September 2020 the Consulate General of Solomon Islands in Brisbane opened its doors as the country’s first diplomatic mission to offer passport renewal services to Solomon Islanders outside of the country.
About 300 Solomon Islanders are now working in Australia under the Seasonal Workers Programme (SWP) and 100 under the Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS). This is expected to increase to 2,500 by 2023 according to the Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australia, Mr. Robert Sisilo.
