Australian Governor opens Samoa’s Parliament Office Complex 

By Jeannie Penehuro/

Apia, SAMOA – 01 June 2026 – At the celebration of Samoa’s 64th anniversary of independence, the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Her Excellency Sam Mostyn AC, and Afioga La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, Prime Minister of Samoa, ceremoniously opened the new Samoan Parliamentary Precinct today.

Australia is investing AUD 34.1 m (WST 66 m) in the building complex that will host the offices of the Honourable Speaker, the Honourable Clerk, parliamentary committee meeting rooms, a parliamentary library, archives and conference facilities.

The project was first announced by the former Governor-General of Australia, the Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce in 2012 to support the Government of Samoa’s refurbishment of parliament .

The Speaker of Parliament, Auapa’au Mulipola Aloitafua reflected on the significance of the occasion, recalling a pivotal moment in 2012.

Dame Quentin Bryce, then Governor-General of Australia, became the first foreign dignitary in 30 years, to address Samoa’s parliament.

During that visit, she announced Australia’s commitment to support Samoa’s parliamentary development as a gift for Samoa’s 50th independence anniversary.

Today, that vision has become a reality through the partnership and dedication of both countries.

Auapa’au Mulipola highlighted the importance of the partnership, which has lasted for more than 55 years, emphasizing the deep friendship between the two nations.

The new precinct consists of three key buildings:

1. Legislative Assembly Office funded by Australia,
2. Parliament of Samoa (Maota Fono) jointly funded by Australia and Samoa,
3. the Members’ Lobby (Laufatasaga Kalapu Members Lounge), funded by Samoa.

Her Excellency Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia speaking at today’s opening ceremony.

Her Excellency Sam Mostyn AC, Governor- General of Australia, expressed her pride in the shared values between the two nations.

“Australia and Samoa share the same commitment to strengthening democracy, institutions, governance, and community access to parliamentary processes,” she said.

She emphasized that the buildings inaugurated today uphold these democratic principles.

Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt reiterated the close relationship between Samoa and Australia, describing it as a family bond that continues to grow stronger through mutual support and collaboration.

Australia has invested a total of AUD 48.8 million (approximately WST 94.2 million) to support the development of the parliamentary precinct. Of this, AUD 34.1 million (around WST 66 million) was allocated to build the Samoa Legislative Assembly Office (LAO).

The official opening ceremony was marked by the ribbon-cutting performed by Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt and Her Excellency Sam Mostyn.

The event concluded with the planting of the Fetau – the Tree of Friendship as a tree common to Australia and Samoa and planted jointly by Her Excellency Sam Mostyn and the Head of State, Afioga Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Eti Sualauvi II.

This new complex signifies not only a shared commitment to democracy but also the deep-rooted friendship that continues to grow between Samoa and Australia, reinforcing their partnership for generations to come.

Guests then had a guided tour of the first floor of the main building as more work needs to be done to complete the project with the MPs lounge expected to be completed by the end of this month.