Australia is about to sign another wide-ranging, billion-dollar treaty in the Pacific, this time with Solomon Islands. But as it battles its "contest" with China, a question lingers: Is it value for money?

Australia and Solomon Islands have reached an in-principle agreement over a new treaty, with a leaked text message from a high-ranking official outlining the lengths Canberra will…

Canberra has pledged US$708 million in extra funding for Honiara as part of the deal expected to be signed in the coming weeks.