Treaty row grows after leaked message links funding and PM's no-confidence motion

A leaked message detailing a proposed Australian funding package for Solomon Islands has sparked a political row over whether the negotiations were linked to a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Matthew Wale.

Deputy Prime Minister Francis Sade has rejected the claim, saying the WhatsApp message sent earlier this month from Australia's High Commissioner Jeffrey Roach was a routine update on treaty negotiations and was not intended for political purposes.

“This was simply an update regarding the progress of the treaty discussions, it was never intended for political expediency,” Sade said in a government statement.

The dispute comes after Honiara and Canberra reached an in-principle agreement on a new treaty with negotiations expected to continue towards a possible signing.

The leaked message sent to Sade surfaced during the recent parliamentary leadership challenge.

The message was independently verified by ABC News and included details of a proposed Australian funding package as well as a call for MPs to “stand together to defeat this Motion”.

Solomon Islands Deputy Prime Minister Francis Sade has rejected claims that Australian treaty discussions were politically motivated, saying he routinely receives updates on the negotiations. Photo/Solomon Islands government

Opposition Leader and former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare later released excerpts of the message in official statements.

The message outlined about SI$1.64 billion (NZ$357.92 million) in proposed new or additional Australian assistance between November this year and December 2028.

That includes SI$5 million (NZ$1.09 million) for each of Solomon Islands' constituencies before the end of this year followed by SI$3m (NZ$650,000) per constituency in both 2027 and 2028.

Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Jeffrey Roach, left, and Solomons PM Matthew Wale: Roach sent the WhatsApp message at the centre of the dispute to Deputy Prime Minister Francis Sade during the recent leadership challenge in Honiara. Photo/Solomon Islands government

It also includes about SI$820m (NZ$178.95m) over two years towards free education and about SI$275m (NZ$60m) for visa improvements and security-related requests.

A further SI$4.1 billion (NZ$894.88 million) in support is referred to in the proposed treaty package from 2029.

The timing has raised questions because Wale had just faced a motion of no confidence after former Home Affairs Minister Manasseh Maelanga accused him of making major decisions without proper Cabinet consultation. The motion was later withdrawn and Wale remained Prime Minister.

The political challenge had already disrupted Wale's regional diplomacy. He was forced to leave the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau just hours after arriving in Koror on 30 August to return to Honiara and deal with the no-confidence motion.

The leaked WhatsApp message from Roach said: “I very much hope both countries can hold steady to seize this opportunity and lock this in ahead of the November budget session.”

The Solomon Islands Opposition says the communications raise serious questions about whether Australian assistance and treaty negotiations were being used to influence the Pacific nation's domestic politics.

Solomon Islands Opposition Leader and former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has called for answers over the proposed Australian funding package and its timing alongside the recent leadership challenge. Photo/OCCRP/Dan McGarry

Sogavare has called for the government to explain whether funding including constituency assistance, education and security support, has been discussed in connection with keeping the government in power.

The Opposition has also questioned the proposed treaty and called for details of its draft text, financial commitments, security obligations and implementation arrangements.

Another message cited by the Opposition says: “Reflecting on the meaningful reforms the GREAT Coalition has already begun, we need to stand together to defeat this Motion.”

Sogavare's Opposition says that reference to defeating a parliamentary motion, alongside the proposed funding, requires an explanation.

But Sade has rejected the suggestion that the communication was political.

“I routinely receive these briefings to stay informed about the Community Partnerships Programme,” Sade's statement read.

The Australian government has said treaty negotiations are continuing and has not confirmed the details of the proposed funding package.

Australia's Pacific Minister Pat Conroy has previously said the negotiations were “underway” and that Australia would not comment on treaty details until it is signed.

The row comes as Solomon Islands navigates a major shift in its relationship with Australia.

Wale's government started treaty negotiations with Canberra soon after taking office in May this year while the Prime Minister also said he would review Solomon Islands' existing security agreement with China, signed in April 2022.