Leaks reveal alleged Australian political agenda in Solomon Islands

Top secret information has emerged in Honiara outlining the Australian government and RAMSI’s negligence; thus breaching the country’s constitution which led to the 2006 April riots.

Documents obtained by The Solomon Star also revealed that the Australian government had in the past appointed several key figures in the Solomon Islands government sector, to facilitate their political agenda in the country.

Two key figures that emerged from the report were former Police Commissioner Shane Castles and former Australian High Commissioner Patrick Cole.

Documents revealed that the then Police Commissioner Shane Castles received directions from the Australian government not to dispatch a riot squad to calm the situation during the 2006 April riots.

According to the Solomon Star, it was disclosed that this was the Australian government’s way of signaling its opposition to China’s growing influence in the Pacific; and in this instance to allow looting and burning to take place to get rid of the Chinese populace in Honiara.

The documents revealed that Castles appointment as Police Commissioner was also dictated by the Australian government so that he could work in partnership with then Australia High Commissioner Patrick Cole.

It is also alleged the Australian government threatened not to fund the former Police Commissioner if he was reappointed but they would only fund Castles if appointed.

It is alleged the Australian government in April 2005 then proposed to the Solomon Islands Government that Castles be appointed under section 40 of the Australian Federal Police Act 1979 for two years.

Therefore, by virtue of section 40 of the Australian Federal Police Act, Castles being an ‘AFP appointee’ must not disobey or fail to carry out directions, instructions or orders given to him by the Australian police commissioner, RAMSI or the Australian government.

The Australian government and RAMSI were also later claimed to have bribed certain people to fabricate false statements against three former Members of Parliament as instigators of the riots.

They are currently applying for a constitutional case against the Australian government and RAMSI, and a separate court battle with the National Government for malicious prosecution.


Story by: Vijay Narayan