AUSTRALIA’S new High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Dr Lachlan Strahan, presented his credentials yesterday to Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
Handing over his letter of credentials, Dr Strahan said Australia and Solomon Islands are neighbours, strong friends and close partners.
“Australia and Solomon Islands have shared cordial relations since diplomatic relations were established in 1982,” he said.
“That friendship has strengthened over the years through our common regional interests, shared values and enduring people-to-people links,” Dr Strahan added.
“It is an honour for me to take up this position as High Commissioner in a country that is so important to Australia.
“I look forward to working with Prime Minister Sogavare and his Government to drive our partnership forward.”
Dr Strahan is a senior career officer with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
He has previously served overseas in several positions, including as Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi and Counsellor Political at the Australian Embassy in Seoul.
Dr Strahan holds a Doctor of Philosophy in History from Monash University and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Melbourne.
His second book, Day of Reckoning, which traces Australia’s efforts to restore law and order in Papua New Guinea after WWII, was shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s Australian history prize in 2006.
