Crowds of school students waving the Solomon Islands and Australian flags have greeted the Pacific nation's leader at Parliament House ahead of formal talks expected to cover defence, security and economic ties.
Newly elected Prime Minister Matthew Wale is in Canberra for his first overseas trip since being elected in May, with Australia hoping to start work on a new comprehensive treaty between the two nations.
Mr Wale has long been an advocate for diplomatically tying his country to Australia, but it's the Pacific nation's relationship with China that has drawn attention.
The Solomon Islands and China signed a security pact in 2022, which partially eclipsed the bilateral security arrangement Australia has had with its Pacific neighbour since 2017.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government would work closely with the Solomon Islands to improve the lot of both countries.
