Penny Wong has become the second senior minister to make the trip to the Solomon Islands within weeks for talks with the country’s new Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele.
The Albanese government is taking the opportunity to improve relations with the Pacific Island nation after Mr Manele replaced Manasseh Sogavare, who signed a security agreement with China that sent shockwaves through the region.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, who is also the defence minister, visited the Solomon Islands in late May.
Speaking in Honiara on Thursday during a busy week in parliament at home, Senator Wong said Australia saw itself as part of the Pacific family, and that the two nations' "futures are tied together".
"We see that your development, your security, your stability, that matters to us because we are all more secure, we are all more prosperous when all the countries of the region can grow, develop and assure their own sovereignty and stability," she told reporters.
"We want a Pacific island region where all of us can make our own decisions, can exercise our sovereignty without fear, and we can all grow and live together peacefully. That’s what we want and that’s what we seek to offer."
Senator Wong said the government wanted to work together as equals.
"What you see is very senior members of the Australian government ... have been here in just a matter of two weeks, and that tells you something about the priority we give this relationship," she said.
Mr Sogavare alarmed Australia and the US after he signed the security pact with Beijing in 2022, which opened the door to a Chinese police presence in the country.
Australia and allies such as the US are concerned the pact could lead to the nation hosting the Chinese military and the recent election was closely monitored to see whether it would lead to more ambitious moves by Beijing in the Pacific.
