Legislative Assembly office building is more than Australia-Samoa partnership

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, SAMOA – 26 February 2026: The Australia and Samoan governments stood side by side to witness the roof topping ceremony of the new Legislative Assembly office building yesterday morning.

Australia’s visiting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Penny Wong and Samoa’s Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt were special guests at the roof topping ceremony of the ST$27 million tala legislative office complex and the Members Lounge.

Funded by the Australian government, Wong said they stand with Samoa at the Legislative Assembly in partnership that is far more than the construction of the building complex.

“We are partners in values from democratic systems, faith and traditions, respect and culture,” she said.  

She also said it has been her mission as Foreign Minister to ensure that Australia becomes more involved in the Pacific and is able to respond to Pacific priorities.

That response for Samoa is noted in areas they have supported and one of their biggest projects so far is the construction of the Legislative Assembly building.

Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt said the planning and negotiation for the project started in 2011 when he was the Parliament Speaker.

The old parliament building was deteriorating, and a new parliament building was needed so the Government approached Australia’s High Commissioner to Samoa then, Dr. Stephen Henningham.

In 2012, Australia’s Governor General, Quentin Bryce visited Samoa and spoke in Parliament and offered that Australia would assist in funding a new Samoan Parliament complex as a gift for Samoa’s 50th independence anniversary.

Then Australian Governor General Quentin Bryce inspecting the Police Guard during her visit in 2012.

However, the project delayed due to political changes in the Australian government and the new parliament building was completed as the first phase and the construction of the office complex and Members Lounge is now expected to be opened during the independence celebrations in June.

Laauli said that he is happy that he is back to finish what he started as a Parliament Speaker then. Also attending the ceremony was the Opposition Leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielagaoi who was Prime Minister in 2012.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that when they invest in institutions like this building, they invest in the everyday freedom that defines democracy.

“May this building be a place where the best of the Fa’a Samoa and modern combine, a place where we still make humility as a guide, breath with courage and compassion and where service to the people remains a measure of success,” she said.

She later met the construction workers and acknowledged their services.

“Thank you, because it is you who made this real, built it and summoned your labour, expertise and effort into this work,” she said.

(From the Right) Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Penny Wong, Deputy Speaker Afamasaga Leone Masame, Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt, and Australia’s High Commissioner Will Robinson.

New bilateral partnership
Ms. Wong announced the new bilateral partnership between the two countries and from July, Australia will invest AUT$12 million to support resilience programs for the Samoa community, especially those at high risk.

The world is changing and actions taken on Samoan shore and the Pacific can create changes through markets, digital networking, climate change and other aspects of everyday life.

She said the key is not isolation but to harvest collective power and unite in one Pacific voice.

“Perhaps there is no greater illustration of this than in climate change and Samoa have demonstrated remarkable resilience of generations to generations from the face of cyclone, changing seasons and the basin scale that demands that we work together on adaptation, resilience and mitigation,” she said.

They have also extended their partnership through three Memorandum of Understanding signed yesterday.

The MOU for cyber cooperation was between Samoa and Australia and the other two MOUs are between Australia and the Pacific.

Ms. Wong said Australia’s vision is grounded in respect for sovereignty, respect for the Pacific Way and that the region is more successful when they work together.

“We know as pacific nations, the strongest ties are woven by cooperation, by trust and shared values,” she said.

Penny Wong offering words of encouragement to the workers working with the Australian building contractor Reeves.

Unity safeguards peace and provide prosperity
Laauli and Ms. Wong both believe that working together in unity not only provides successful results but long-term sustainability.

“I believe that it is through unity that we safeguard peace, can build prosperity and can change our sovereignty, the right of our country to make decisions.

 “For strong democracy, we all need good values of legislation, rule of law, independent oversight, sound public finances and a safe system. we continue to learn from each other and work together to strengthen our critical services and enhance the safety of our citizen online,” she said.

Both leaders then travelled to Savaii to open the Police Maritime Office at Tuasivi funded by Australia.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong and delegation departed Samoa for Niue at 4.00pm yesterday afternoon.

The $27million tala building complex that is expected to be opened in June.