By Eliza Kukutu
Prime Minister Matthew Wale
PRIME Minister Hon. Matthew Wale says there will be ‘no more secrecy’ on agreements that bind the nation.
At the same time, he announced a review of the security agreement with China has commenced, calling on the Leader of Opposition to support the review.
Prime Minister Wale said the review is grounded in a simple but critical principle and that is transparency to Parliament and accountability to the people of Solomon Islands.
The Prime Minister revealed he was only permitted to read the 2022 agreement one day before an official meeting in Canberra in May this year, highlighting the lack of proper disclosure at the time.
“That must never happen again,” the Prime Minister told Parliament during his closing address to the Speech of the Throne recently.
“I call on the Leader of the Opposition to support the review, this House must support the principle that no treaty should stand without the informed consent of Parliament.”
“If that is the standard, then it must apply to every agreement this country has signed and not just some,” he adds.
He stressed that the issue goes beyond politics and speaks directly to national sovereignty.
The Prime Minister said sovereignty does not belong to the Government of the day.
He said it belongs to the people of Solomon Islands and it is expressed through this House.
“That principle was true in 2022. It is true today. And under this Government, it will be practised not just spoken about,” the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister Wale also stressed that the country remains “friends to all and enemies to none,” but made clear that secrecy in national agreements will no longer be tolerated.
“On the instruments that bind this nation, there will be no more secrecy. This House and through it our people, must always be fully informed,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the review will ensure that all security agreements are transparent, accountable and fully aligned with the national interest.
Ends//
– OPMC PRESS SECRETARIAT
