Maritime Security Boost: Australia has handed over two new NAIAD vessels to the RSIPF Marine Division, aimed at strengthening maritime policing and disrupting transnational serious and organised crime, as AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett warned cartels that “it is too expensive and too much of a risk” to test Solomon Islands’ resolve. Border Control Upgrade: Australia will also hand over the Lofung Border and Patrol Boat Outpost in the Shortlands on Monday 17 August 2026, bringing police, customs, bio-security and immigration under one roof to improve western border management and disaster response. Freshwater Resilience: Solomon Islands launched the PacFresH2O Programme to protect freshwater resources and build climate resilience across Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, with support from GIZ, SPC and Live & Learn. Money, Mining and Tax: In Parliament, Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo raised concerns about weak visible capital inflows from mining despite strong gold exports, while also pushing tax reforms to curb exemptions and improve revenue collection. Governance and Spending: Parliament deferred consideration of the 2025 and 2026 Supplementary Appropriation Bills after required reports weren’t tabled. Youth Justice Delayed: Work on the National Youth Justice Bill has stalled as legislative priorities shifted, even though UNICEF-funded consultations were completed across five provinces.