Photo: Copyright AUSPIC/DPS
Australia has announced a new $US103 million aid package for Solomon Islands.
Its High Commissioner in Honiara, Lachlan Strahan, said the funding package is part of Canberra's commitment to increasing its overseas development assistance to the region over the next four years.
The Solomon Islands package will include support for health, education, governance and elections, infrastructure, justice, women's leadership, and private sector development.
Dr Strahan said the funding also covers support for the 2023 Pacific Games.
"Currently there are more than 3,700 Solomon Islander workers in Australia under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. In this Budget, the Australian Government is improving and expanding the PALM scheme, creating greater opportunities for Solomon Islander workers," he said.
"The reforms include the opportunity for an additional 500 Pacific and Timorese workers to obtain aged care qualifications, completing their Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) while participating in the scheme."
He said, through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), Australia is supporting work on the Tina River Hydropower Transmission System.