A speech by the Solomon Islands Prime Minister has underlined just how naïve Labor’s foreign policy is, Senator James Paterson says. 

Manasseh Sogavare this week claimed opponents of his country’s security pact with China have threatened invasion.

He also suggested Russia was not the aggressor in the war in Ukraine.

Mr Paterson, who chairs Australia’s Intelligence and Security Committee, told Neil Breen Sogavare’s comments evidence the “real challenges” the Pacific region faces.

“To say that just one more phone call, or one more visit, or one more dollar of aid would’ve fixed the problem, I think has been clearly demonstrated to be a very naïve understanding of a very complex situation on the ground.”

His comments echo reports by The Sydney Morning Herald that Scott Morrison was advised to stop talking with Sogavare over concerns his Solomon Islands counterpart would become volatile and misrepresent conversations.

“It would be nice if it were so easy, it would be great if national security and defence were such simple areas,” Mr Paterson continued.

“Unfortunately, I think the Labor Party, particularly Anthony Albanese, doesn’t really understand that.”

Press PLAY below to hear how the Coalition will handle growing tensions in the Pacific if re-elected 

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