PM Wale departs for Australia and New Zealand on his first official visit

PM Wale arrives at the VIP lounge on his way to Australia

Honiara, Solomon Islands| 31 May 2026| – Prime Minister Hon. Mathew Cooper Wale departed today for Australia on his first official overseas visit since taking office on 15 May 2026.

In Canberra, Prime Minister Wale will meet Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for a Leaders’ Meeting on Wednesday, 3 June 2026.

The visit will strengthen the Solomon Islands–Australia partnership by advancing regional stability, deepening development and economic cooperation, enhancing security collaboration, and bolstering climate resilience.

Accompanying the Prime Minister are the Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon. Rick Hou, Minister for National Planning and Development Coordination, Hon. Peter Kenilorea Jnr, Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services, Hon. John Tuhaika Jnr, Minister for Infrastructure Development, Hon. Rick Fuo’o, Minister for Education and Human Resource Development, Hon. Stephen Kumi. Minister for Finance and Treasury, Hon. Gordon Darcy Lilo, is expected to join the delegation in Canberra later in the week.

From Australia, Prime Minister Wale and some ministers will travel to New Zealand for the second leg of the visit.

In New Zealand, he will meet Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to further strengthen bilateral relations and development programmes between the two countries’

The Prime Minister and his delegation are scheduled to return on 10 June 2026.

-ENDS-