Solomon Islands is a Commonwealth realm with a Westminster system of government; the Shadow Cabinet is modelled on the British institution of the same name.
[1] The current Shadow Cabinet was appointed by Opposition Leader Steve Abana on 31 August 2010, following the general election on 4 August, and Abana's unsuccessful attempt to be elected to the premiership.
[2] Abana's Shadow Cabinet is also a coalition, albeit primarily composed of members of the Democratic Party.
[3] Stanley Sofu, initially appointed Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Development, defected to the government in December 2010.
A week later, Abana defected to the government, along with four other members of the Opposition (Ricky Houeniopwela, Andrew Hanaria Keniasia, Connelly Sandakabatu and Peter Tom).