Australia gets “hairy chested” with PNG and Solomon Islands
Prime Minister John Howard has signaled that the Government intends to impose conditions on aid to PNG and the Solomon Islands, to ensure the two Pacific island nations fight corruption and improve governance standards. Over the weekend, Alexander Downer suspended high-level ministerial ties between Australia and PNG. Minister Downer says the relationship will remain severed until an investigation is carried out into how Solomon Islands Attorney General, Julian Moti managed to escape from PNG to the Solomon Islands. Australian officials were seeking Mr Moti’s extradition on rape charges relating to the alleged assault of a 13-year old girl in Vanuatu nine years ago. Clive Moore, associate professor in History at Queensland University, says the latest stand off relates to Australian Government concerns over the Solomon Island PM’s interference in the commission of inquiry into the April Honiara riots.