The Solomon Islands - a China outpost on our border

The SI will host the Pacific Games next year. China bit in early and undertook to construct the main stadium, athletes' accommodation and other facilities. There is no transparency when it comes to the funding - some is undoubtedly in grant form, but an unknown amount is loans.

Australia's response has really disappointed many observers. The Minister for the Pacific recently visited the SI and made an Australian commitment of $30 million to help fund the Games!

Playing catch up when it comes to the SI just won't work.

What we should have done is offer $30 million on the condition it is used to fund national elections - which Sogavare says his government cannot afford to hold!

Sogavare knows his government is unpopular - largely due to the China influence. He does not want elections - nor does China.

The elections due in 2023 will be pushed back to 2024 - at least.

Our capacity to influence the SI Government is limited. Offering to fund elections when they are due is something that would appeal to many Solomon Islanders.

If we have a spare $30 million there are many ways it could be productively spent elsewhere in the region.

Australia is going to have to be very firm when it comes to resisting press censorship and government control in the Pacific. Our generous aid is going to have to be linked to respect for press freedom.

My strong view is we should largely ignore the SI at least for now - and probably for two or three years until elections are held.

Our focus needs to be on countries where we can resist China's influence before they go the SI way. Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Vanuatu come to mind.

We also need to consider what can be done to assist the political, social and economic development of Bougainville.