Defence Minister Richard Marles has refused to confirm if Australian ships have been barred from making naval visits to the Solomon Islands after Honiara imposed a ban on military ships.

The Solomons Island government on Tuesday issued a statement saying, “We have requested our partners to give us time to review and put in place our new processes before sending further requests for military vessels to enter the country.

“Once the new mechanism is in place, we will inform you all. We anticipate the new process to be smoother and timelier.”

The statement was issued after reports the US had received formal notification of a moratorium on all naval visits.

The Solomon Islands’ security pact with China has caused political ripples around the world.

Mr Marles said he had seen the reports of the vessel ban.

“Ultimately those decisions are a matter for the Solomon Islands government,” Mr Marles told ABC radio on Wednesday.

Asked if Australia had been issued a moratorium on its naval ships, Mr Marles deflected the question.

“I’m confident that if we put in the work as a nation, we will be the partner of choice for Solomon Islands and we are putting in that work,” he said.

Asked if he had sought clarification from the Solomons Islands, Mr Marles said there were “ongoing conversations” with Honiara.

Under its deal with Beijing, the Solomons Islands government can ask China to send armed police and the military to the country.

Mr Marles would not confirm reports one of Australia’s Collins-class submarines broke down in Hawaii.

“The Collins class is meeting its operational requirements,” he said.

Mr Marles is in Britain for talks with defence partners and will visit the BAE shipyard to see how it builds submarines.

Under the AUKUS partnership, Australia will acquire nuclear-powered submarines using either US or British designs.

-AAP

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