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The Australian Government, principally through DFAT, has done a really poor job educating the Australian community on our regional relationships. and China's direct and growing challenge to our presence and influence.
Rebuilding relations with the Solomon Islands is just not going to happen while the current pro-China government is exercising a suffocating influence over the islands.
The kingdom has become an aggressive strategic investor in sports events, hosting Formula One motor racing, boxing events, purchasing European football clubs and promoting wrestling.
Thousands of rioters defiled what is venerated as a Muslim Holy Shrine -- converting it into a rallying point for flag-waving slogan-shouting Palestinian Arabs armed with rocks and Molotov cocktails.
Anzac Day this year marked the beginning of the 80th anniversaries of the key battles that defeated the Japanese advance during the Second World War in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and the Coral Sea.