Australia and Solomon Islands agreed to an enhanced Partnership for Development at high level aid talks in Honiara on 1 May 2013.
AusAID Director General, Mr Peter Baxter, who led the Australian delegation, said the enhanced Partnership reflects Australia's strong commitment to Solomon Islands.
The expanded Partnership will now cover justice and corrections services, support for free and fair elections in Solomon Islands, and further support for economic governance, human resource management and public sector performance. This reflects the transition of RAMSI development programs to the Australian aid program, which takes place from 1 July 2013.
'The Partnership for Development is the bedrock of our aid relationship. Through the Partnership, Australia's assistance is directed where it's most needed – in support of the Solomon Islands Government's priorities as outlined in the National Development Strategy,' Mr Baxter said. 'We are pleased to be able to maintain the gains of former RAMSI development programs under the longer-term Partnership.'
Australia and Solomon Islands also signed a joint statement on zero tolerance to fraud, which commits both Governments to work together to eliminate fraud from the program, and when fraud is found, to prosecute those persons responsible.
In 2013, we will jointly focus the justice program on improved court case management, addressing human resource issues and expanding legal aid and community-level dispute management services. Australia will also continue to support the Solomon Islands Government implement the SAFENET program to help victims of gender-based violence.
Over the coming year, the Partnership will provide more than 12,000 farmers with agricultural training. Australia will work together with the Central Bank of Solomon Islands to ensure 30,000 people have access to sustainable, affordable and sound financial services. Australian funding will also continue to assist with the maintenance of the road network, and improve the water supply in Honiara by supporting Solomon Water.
Education will also have a renewed focus in Solomon Islands, with the establishment of the Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC) campus in Honiara. This follows the launch of a $1.9 million partnership between APTC and Honiara's Don Bosco Technical Institute.
The $150 million APTC was established in 2007 to increase skilled workers in the Pacific and improve employment opportunities for Pacific Islanders. More than 4,950 Pacific Islanders have graduated with new skills from the APTC's four campuses in Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.
Australia remains the biggest donor to Solomon Islands, providing more than $187 million in development assistance each year.