The Parliamentary Opposition Group has welcomed the announcement of SBD 200 million (AUD 35 million) in direct budgetary support from the Australian Government and has called on the GREAT Government to ensure the funds are spent wisely, managed transparently, and directed toward the needs of Solomon Islanders.
The funding package, announced during Prime Minister Matthew Wale’s official visit to Australia, is intended to support recovery efforts following Tropical Cyclone Maila and help cushion the impacts of ongoing global energy price pressures.
The Opposition acknowledged Australia’s continued support to Solomon Islands and said the funding presents an important opportunity to strengthen recovery efforts and provide relief to communities facing economic hardship.
“This is a significant amount of public funding and it must be used wisely. Solomon Islanders will rightly expect to see tangible benefits from this support, particularly for communities affected by Cyclone Maila and households struggling with rising costs,” the Opposition Group said.
The Opposition also welcomed Prime Minister Wale’s recent commitment that disaster funds should not be exploited at the expense of victims.
“We agree with the Prime Minister that there must be no exploitation of disaster funds at the expense of those who have suffered the impacts of Cyclone Maila. Funds intended for recovery must reach affected communities and be used for their intended purpose.”
The Opposition said the Government now has a responsibility to demonstrate prudent management of the funding and ensure every dollar contributes to recovery, resilience, and economic relief.
To strengthen public confidence, the Opposition is calling on the Government to:
- Clearly outline how the SBD 200 million will be allocated between Cyclone Maila recovery and measures to address the impacts of global energy price shocks;
- Ensure funds intended for disaster recovery are directed toward affected communities and priority reconstruction needs;
- Demonstrate how the economic support component will provide practical relief to households, businesses, and communities facing increased living costs;
- Provide regular public updates on expenditure, implementation progress, and outcomes achieved; and
- Put in place strong oversight mechanisms to ensure public funds are spent efficiently, responsibly, and for their intended purposes.
“The true measure of this funding will not be the announcement itself, but how effectively it is used to improve the lives of Solomon Islanders,” the Opposition Group said.
“We welcome this support from Australia and urge the Government to manage it wisely, transparently, and responsibly. The people of Solomon Islands deserve to see these resources translated into meaningful outcomes for those recovering from Cyclone Maila and for families facing ongoing economic pressures.”
