Australia signs $190 million security deal with the Solomon Islands

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a $190 million security agreement with the Solomon Islands. It will see Australia assist in scaling up the size and capability of the Pacific nation’s police force, including a new sovereign police training centre in the capital. The pact comes close to 18 months after a deal Honiara struck with Beijing on police cooperation. It is not clear if Australia’s pact hinges on the Solomons reducing the presence of Chinese police personnel. Similar deals have been struck with Papua New Guinea and Nauru within the last fortnight.