PRIME Minister honorable Jeremiah Manele made a number of important engagements yesterday- 25th June 2024- one of which he was accorded with a traditional Aboriginal welcome.
Prior to that the Prime Minister together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, honorable Peter Shanel Agovaka and Minister of National Planning and Development Coordination, honorable Rex Ramofafia have paid a visit to Australia’s Humanitarian Logistics Capability Warehouse.
On arrival at the Warehouse, the Prime Minister was met by Assistant Secretary, Humanitarian Preparedness and Response Branch, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Mr. David Vosen and Warehouse Manager, Amanda Morgan.
Mr. Vosen introduced the work of the Humanitarian Logistics Capability (HCL) which is basically to mobilize humanitarian support to disaster-stricken areas of partner governments and humanitarian partners.
The organization’s response timing is within 48 of disaster, to provide basic assistance and retain dignity to those who suffered from natural disasters.
Mr. Vosen revealed that last year the HCL assisted the people of Tikopia within 48 hours after the disastrous effect of cyclone Lola.
After the warehouse site visit, Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele acknowledged Australia’s Humanitarian Logistics Capability (HCL) for the assistance rendered to the people of Tikopia last year.
PM Manele briefly stated that the geographical make-up of the Islands in Solomon Islands is a challenge to coordination of much needed supplies to disaster-stricken areas.
The Prime Minister praised the work of HCL and made the assurance that conversation regarding the work of HCL will continue with the Australia’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands.
In the afternoon the Prime Minister boarded a flight to Canberra where on arrival he was accorded with a traditional Aboriginal welcome on Mount Ainslie. Mount Ainslie is directly opposite the parliament of Australia.
On that Mount Ainslie (Lookout), an elder of the Ngunnawal people, Serena Williams, welcomed the Prime Minister and his entourage to the land of Ngunnawal- the traditional name of what is now Canberra.
The Prime Minister, in acknowledgement, has paid tribute to the past, present and emerging leaders of Ngunnawal for the warm traditional welcome.
The Prime Minister and his entourage then went to Australian Border Force Headquarters for a visit.
PM was met by Acting Commissioner Australian Border Force, Kaylene Dale, Deputy Commissioner, Tim Fitzgerald and Deputy Commander Neil Horne.
After a brief tour and meeting with executive of the Australian Border Force, PM and his entourage went to meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs honorable Penny Wong who is also the leader of the senate.
The PM and his entourage ended the day with a dinner with the Solomon Islands diaspora in Canberra at the official residence of the Solomon Islands High Commissioner Robert Sisilo.
Prime Minister Manele will meet with his counterpart, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tomorrow- 27th June 2024.
