Anthony Albanese and his Solomon Islands counterpart Manasseh Sogavare have reaffirmed their shared vision for a "peaceful and prosperous" Pacific amid concerns about Honiara's relationship with Beijing.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Mr Sogavare in Canberra on Thursday, with no joint press conference held afterwards.
In a joint statement released after the talks, the leaders said the persistent threat of climate change and "shared aspirations" for the region were discussed.
"As proud Pacific nations, Australia and Solomon Islands have a deep and enduring history underpinned by strong people-to-people links and shared democratic values," the statement reads.
"Prime Minister Sogavare and Prime Minister Albanese reaffirmed mutual security commitments, and the Pacific family first approach to regional peace and security."
Ongoing economic cooperation, including market access, Pacific labour mobility, scholarships and the Pacific Engagement Visa were also discussed.
The statement said Mr Sogavare welcomed Australia's $16.68 million commitment to support the 2023 Pacific Games, and offer to support his country's next national poll.
But it follows a scathing attack on the Albanese government, where Mr Sogavare labelled the offer as foreign interference and "an assault on our parliamentary democracy".
The Pacific leader pushed back the election until 2024, arguing his country couldn't afford to pay for the election as well as the upcoming Pacific Games next year.
Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham branded the delaying of the Solomons election and rejection of Australia's help as disappointing.
But he welcomed the engagement with Mr Sogavare off the back of the Solomon Islands prime minister's visit to the US and dialogue with President Joe Biden.
"All dialogue is positive," Senator Birmingham told ABC radio.
Tensions in the Indo-Pacific have soared after the Solomon Islands signed a security pact with China earlier this year, with concerns it could lead to Beijing establishing a military base.
Mr Albanese said Australia and the Solomon Islands had a "strong security partnership, based on decades-long policing and maritime co-operation".
"As members of the Pacific family, we are committed to working together to face our shared challenges," he said.
Mihai Sora, Research Fellow in the Lowy Institute's Pacific Islands Program, said reaction in the Pacific region was in response to China's increasing presence in the political and security space.
"We've seen a concerted effort on the part of Australia to reinvigorate its relationships with all Pacific countries, certainly prioritising Solomon Islands," he told Sky News.
"It is a very difficult relationship to get right."
The Australian Strategic Policy Institute also warned Beijing is attempting to influence public discussion in the Pacific nation through propaganda and information suppression.
Its new report accused Beijing of pushing a "fabricated narrative" about Australia, the United States and Taiwan, instigating riots in the Solomon Islands in November 2021.
Opposition home affairs spokeswoman Karen Andrews said Australia had maintained close ties with the Solomons.
But Ms Andrews said Australia couldn't turn a blind eye to "what China's actions have been and will continue to be in the Pacific".
Australian Associated Press
