Penny Wong is slammed for a 'giant misstep' in offering to pay $73million for the Solomon Islands election after the China-aligned PM angrily called it 'an assault on our democracy'

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Penny Wong has been mocked for a 'giant misstep' in offering to pay for the Solomon Islands election after the country's leader took offence.

Foreign Minister Wong on Tuesday revealed Australia had offered to fund the election, which could cost about $73 million.

But Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare angrily called the 'inappropriate' overture an 'assault on our parliamentary democracy'.

'The timing of the public media announcement by the Australian government is in effect a strategy to influence how members of parliament will vote on this bill during the second reading on Thursday,' he said.

'The Solomon Islands Government has conveyed to the Australian government its concern on the conduct of bilateral relations via the media through the Australian High Commission Office in Honiara.'

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare (centre) is seeking to delay the 2023 election citing budgetary concerns and angrily refused help from Australia

Mr Sogavare claims the heavily indebted island nation cannot afford to hold both the Pacific Games in 2023 and the election in the same year.

He is trying to get parliament to approve a bill that would delay the poll until 2024, which the Solomons opposition claims he is trying to 'bulldoze' through.

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said the offer was appropriate, with the former Coalition government making the same offer in 2019.

But he said it had been 'very poorly handled' by the Albanese Government.

'Look at this reaction that has occurred from the Solomon Islands government, which is an extraordinary statement,' Senator Birmingham told ABC radio.

'There is much now to be answered and by the Albanese Government in terms of the way in which this offer was communicated, the discussions that have been had, the conditions or nature of this offer.

'It appears as though they have taken a giant misstep in the relationship.'

Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday revealed Australia had offered to fund the Solomon Islands election, which could coast about $73 million

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was 'looking forward' to hosting his Solomon Islands counterpart next month despite the public outburst.

'We want good relations with our Pacific neighbours,' he told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.

'I'm very much looking forward to hosting prime minister Sogavare, I'll be hosting him at The Lodge for dinner in just a few weeks' time in October.'

Senator Wong denied she made the offer in response to pleas from the Solomons opposition for Australia to intervene.

'No, this is because Australia has always historically supported democracy in Solomon Islands,' she told ABC radio.

'We have previously offered support and we are offering support again.

'(It) reflects our longstanding and historical commitment to supporting democracy and democratic processes in Solomon Islands.

The bill to delay the election was 'domestically controversial', Senator Wong added, '(but) that's ultimately a matter for their parliament to resolve'.

Honiara inked a security pact with Beijing in April, raising concerns about China's growing influence in the region.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, right, locks arms with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi

Solomon Islands MP John Maneniaru said he was 'very disheartened' with by the Mr Sogavare's decision to fast-track the election bill, skipping the scrutiny of his Bills and Legislation Committee.

'This is for me a sad moment indeed. And for our democracy,' he said. 'A deliberate decision was made to bulldoze into our parliament and democracy.'

His colleague Peter Kenilorea Jr added that he did not agree that Australia's offer amounted to foreign influence. 

'When Australia gave $17 million for the Pacific Games it was heartily welcomed with smiles. But when an offer is made to support timely elections, it is seen differently,' he told the ABC.

'This simply highlights the schizophrenic nature of Sogavare's relationship with Australia. He will take what he feels is good for him and will brand an offer to help uphold our own constitution as foreign influence.'

Mr Sogavare, a four-time prime minister, is expected to visit Australia soon, with discussions ongoing about the timing.

He recently accused Western media organisations in the Solomons of 'spreading anti-China sentiment'.

Mr Sogavare's office threatened to ban or deport reporters for 'disrespectful and demeaning' coverage, and said some foreign media were trying to 'engineer regime change'.