9 Feb 2004

Opposition in the Solomons calls for a new look at the use of Australian currency

8:34 am on 9 February 2004

The opposition Foreign Affairs spokesman in the Solomons, Alfred Sasako, has urged the government to revisit the idea of the country using the Australian currency.

Mr Sasako says in order for the economy to improve, the country needs foreign investors to establish businesses who need to have confidence in the currency.

He says the Solomons currency has been on a downhill slide since the devaluation two years ago and the only way to arrest that slide is to re-activate the debate on the call by the Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, for the Pacific to have a common currency.