Australia Pacific Islands Business Council strongly supports Australian Government initiatives on the Solomon Islands

The Australia Pacific Islands Business Council strongly supports the current efforts by the Australian government to create new proactive Australian and regional policy responses to the situation in the Solomon Islands, including providing direct foreign support to the Solomon Islands authorities in the law and order sector. The Council is an association of Australian businesses whose members include the major Australian companies with interests in the Solomon Islands. The President of the Council, Mr Bob Lyon, said today the situation in the Solomon Islands had been drifting backwards for almost three years. "Rectifying the law and order situation must be the first step in what will be a long journey to get the Solomon Islands economy working again", Mr Lyon said. He said it was appropriate that Australia take the lead with other regional countries in supporting the Solomon Islands authorities to bring the law and order situation under control. "The Council welcomes the renewed efforts of the Australian government, and will support the government wherever it can to help bring about changes in the Solomon Islands", Mr Lyon said. 13 July 2003 Media Enquiries: Bob Lyon (03) 9273 6517 or Frank Yourn (03) 3348 5142.