Deputy Prime Minister(DPM) Francis Sade firmly rejected an ABC News report alleging that a message he received from the Australian High Commission was politically motivated, describing it as a routine update on the progress of treaty discussions.
Minister Matthew Wale used a text message from Australia’s High Commissioner to boost his political standing.
The report suggested that the federal government was rushing to finalize an in-principle treaty agreement worth over $980 million in additional funding, timed around a recent leadership challenge against Mr. Wale.
According to a government statement , DPM Sade clarified that the message from High Commissioner Jeffrey Roach was nothing more than a routine briefing on the Community Partnerships Program and ongoing treaty progress.
“This was simply an update regarding the progress of the treaty discussions, it was never intended for political expediency,” Deputy Prime Minister Sade says.
He explained that these updates are sent regularly to keep leaders informed, not to play politics.
Addressing concerns over the timing and nature of the leak, DPM Sade also said that good news for the country should be a shared opening in Parliament, not used for political fighting.
He stated that the country’s partnerships must focus on what is best for the Solomon Islands, not on political arguments.
