Today, Australian Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, continued her four-day visit to Solomon Islands with a focus on women’s participation in parliament, digitalisation, jobs and economic growth, and journalism.
During the evening of 24 August, Minister Rowland met with four female Members of Parliament and Provincial Assemblies of Solomon Islands, discussing challenges and opportunities for increased women’s participation in politics across Australia and Solomon Islands. Minister Rowland was joined for dinner by:
- Hon Lanelle Tanangada, Minister for Education and Human Resources Development
- Premier Rhoda Sikilabu of Isabel Province
- Hon Rose Tala, Member for Tathiboko Ward, Guadalcanal Provincial Assembly
- Hon Jocelyn Wesley Ipei, Member for Nea/No’ole, Temotu Provincial Assembly
Our Telekom CEO Christina Lasasa hosted Minister Rowland for a tour of Our Telekom’s Ranadi and Point Cruz complexes, introducing Minister Rowland to Our Telekom employees, including women working in engineering and management. During her tour, Minister Rowland visited Our Telekom’s National Operations Centre (NOC) and met staff rolling out M-Selen, the Australian funded mobile money application which will allow anyone with an Our Telekom mobile to send and receive money.
Leading a roundtable discussion on the risks and challenges associated with digitalisation in Solomon Islands, Minister Rowland was joined by representatives from government, industry and civil society, bringing together perspectives on the challenges and opportunities faced by people working on cyber safety, financial inclusion, digital literacy and policy development.
Australia is pleased to have supported cyber safety programs, policy development and cyber security through its development partnership with Solomon Islands.
Meeting with Telecommunications Commissioner Calvin Ziru, Minister Rowland listened to Solomon Islands’ experiences with regulating the telecommunications sector, and shared Australia’s experiences.
“The telecommunications regulator plays a vital role in holding operators to account to provide access to affordable telecommunications services to customers,” said Minister Rowland.
In the afternoon, Minister Rowland met women journalists who travelled to Australia for the FIFA Women’s World Cup as part of Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) training on sports journalism. The Australian Government partnered with FIFA and the Oceania Football Confederation on this initiative to support gender equality, diversity and inclusion in sport and sports reporting.
Minster Rowland welcomed the opportunity to interview two of the journalists who travelled to Australia —Ms Mavis Podokolo and Ms Cynthia Seda Mewa — about their experiences as a special guest host of the Australian High Commission G’Day Solomon Radio Program. The show broadcast on SIBC on Friday 25 August 2023, and will also be available on the Australian High Commission Facebook page.
Next, Minister Rowland attended a panel discussion on e-commerce which highlighted the importance of the digital economy, and how online platforms can help businesses grow and increase income.
The panellists—Millicent Barty from Kastom Keepers, Farhad James from Klikpei Online, Debbie Lukisi from MK Local Foods and Ebony Finau from Twice is Nice —discussed their experiences in creating online businesses with help from the Australian Government through the Strongim Bisnis private sector development program and UNCDF Pacific Digital Economy Program.
Australia has supported the Solomon Islands Government with its National E-Commerce Strategy and is providing over SBD18 million to support mobile money development and other financial sector reforms to help drive e-commerce—supporting job creation and providing business opportunities.
In the evening of 25 August, Minister Rowland was delighted to present prizes to Solomon Islands journalists who had written outstanding articles on matters related to national security. The awards were sponsored by the Media Association of Solomon Islands and the Australia Pacific Security College.
Clear, unbiased, high-quality media reporting plays a critical function in a democratic society and when covering matters of national security. Australia is a long-standing supporter of the media sector in Solomon Islands in support of these aims.
Tomorrow, before departing to Papua New Guinea to attend the Pacific ICT Ministers Summit with Minister for Communications and Aviation the Hon Peter Shanel Agovaka, the Minister will finish her visit to Solomon Islands by meeting local small business owners Grace Fekau of Amazing Grace Cocoa Farm, and Debbie Lukisi of MK Local Foods.
They will discuss how Australia’s support, through Strongim Bisnis, has enabled them to expand, increase capacity and diversify their businesses and create jobs.
