Opposition leader Manasseh Sogavare has put the GREAT Coalition on notice.
He will be keeping a closer eye on all Government’s international engagements, including the proposed treaty-level partnership with Australia and agreements with the United States.
“Any major international commitments must be transparent and serve Solomon Islands’ national interest,” Sogavare said in parliament.
“While Solomon Islands should continue to maintain strong relationships with its international partners, such agreements must be subject to appropriate public and parliamentary scrutiny,” he added..
Sogavare’s comments come as the Government pursues closer cooperation with Australia and the United States, including negotiations on a treaty-level partnership with Canberra and new security and maritime arrangements with Washington.
A four-time prime minister, Sogavare rose to international fame when he switched the country’s diplomatic relationship from Taiwan to China in 2019.
In the following years while in power, his government signed at least 25 treaties, agreements and memorandums of understanding with China, including the secretive Solomon Islands-China Security Agreement in 2022.
None of those agreements and MOUs went through parliament.
Despite that record, Sogavare said the Opposition would continue to examine the current Government’s international agreements to ensure they are in the country’s best interests.
His remarks formed part of the Opposition’s response to the Government’s Speech from the Throne, in which he reaffirmed that this group would support policies that benefit Solomon Islands while holding the Government accountable for its decisions.
“The Opposition will support what is good for Solomon Islands. We are not opposed to Government simply for the sake of opposition,” he said.
“However, our responsibility is also to ask the necessary questions, particularly where Government policies involve significant public expenditure, international commitments or changes to our constitutional arrangements.”
Sogavare said the Opposition welcomed several priorities outlined by the Government, including the completion of Lata Airport, extending broadband connectivity to all provinces, the phased end of round-log exports, stronger biosecurity measures and greater recognition of customary landowners as partners in the country’s economic development.
He also expressed qualified support for the Government’s proposed Free Education Policy, saying the objective was commendable but its implementation required closer examination.
Sogavare said the Opposition would seek greater clarity on the policy’s cost, funding arrangements and long-term sustainability, while ensuring schools are adequately resourced to provide quality education.
On constitutional reform, he said the Opposition supported changes where there was a genuine national need but cautioned against proposals aimed primarily at entrenching political power.
He said the Government’s proposal to amend the Constitution to “secure political stability in Parliament” deserved careful consideration.
“Constitutional reform must be about strengthening our democracy and institutions, not simply securing the political convenience of the government of the day,” he said.
“The Constitution belongs to the people of Solomon Islands. Any proposed changes must therefore be approached with care, transparency and proper consultation.”
Sogavare said the Speech from the Throne presented an opportunity for the Government and Opposition to work together on matters of national importance while preserving Parliament’s role in holding the Executive to account.
“Where Government gets it right, we will support it. Where questions need to be asked, we will ask them. And where accountability is required, the Opposition will do its job.”
He said the Opposition would continue to engage constructively with the Government while ensuring the interests of Solomon Islanders remained at the centre of national policy and decision-making.
