(The Guardian) Solomon Islands PM accuses Australia of interfering in its democracy
Yesterday, the Albanese government’s offer to help fund Solomon Islands’ election became public, with Penny Wong confirming the offer had been made, after the government said it could not afford to hold an election and the Pacific Games in the same year. But the government, led by Manasseh Sogavare, has responded with a pretty strong rebuke, accusing Australia of ‘interfering’ with its democracy:
The timing of the public media announcement by the Australian government is in effect a strategy to influence how members of parliament will vote on this bill during the second reading on Thursday 8 September 2022. -- This is an assault on our parliamentary democracy and is a direct interference by a foreign government into our domestic affairs. The Solomon Islands government has conveyed to the Australian government its concern on the conduct of bilateral relations via the media through the Australian high commission office in Honiara.
The Solomon Islands opposition had accused Sogavare of attempting to hold on to power for another eight months (at least) by delaying the election, with the controversial legislation which would put off the poll until next year, due to be debated in the Solomon Islands parliament tomorrow. But the statement has kicked off the latest diplomatic squall between Australia and one of its Pacific neighbours.
Yesterday, the Albanese government’s offer to help fund Solomon Islands’ election became public, with Penny Wong confirming the offer had been made, after the government said it could not afford to hold an election and the Pacific Games in the same year. But the government, led by Manasseh Sogavare, has responded with a pretty strong rebuke, accusing Australia of ‘interfering’ with its democracy:
The timing of the public media announcement by the Australian government is in effect a strategy to influence how members of parliament will vote on this bill during the second reading on Thursday 8 September 2022. -- This is an assault on our parliamentary democracy and is a direct interference by a foreign government into our domestic affairs. The Solomon Islands government has conveyed to the Australian government its concern on the conduct of bilateral relations via the media through the Australian high commission office in Honiara.
The Solomon Islands opposition had accused Sogavare of attempting to hold on to power for another eight months (at least) by delaying the election, with the controversial legislation which would put off the poll until next year, due to be debated in the Solomon Islands parliament tomorrow. But the statement has kicked off the latest diplomatic squall between Australia and one of its Pacific neighbours.
