“Be nice & pick up the phone” – AG challenge to Government officials 

By Lagi Keresoma/

“The people of Samoa should benefit from this work, they are entitled to a Government that responds efficiently and speaks with a clear and coordinated voice,” – Attorney General Mauga Precious Chang.

Apia, SAMOA – 14 September 2026 – One of the issues the Attorney General Mauga Precious Chang spoke on when she delivered the opening address at the Legal Policy Development / Policy Legislation Training, was for all Government officials to respond well to public enquiries with respect.

The week-long workshop at the Sheraton Hotel intends to strengthen and identify policy problems, examine the available options and translate approved policy into workable legislation.

She said those skills matter, but responsibility also does.

Mauga was once told that it took days preparing for a battle and perhaps even winning it only to discover later that they have lost the war.

“Simply put, be nice, pick up the phone and avoid wasting everyones’ energy on a battle that never needed to happen,” she said.

Ombudsman Vui Clarence Nelson, Jasmine, Australian High Commissioner William Robinson & Attorney General Mauga Precious Chang.

Mauga said the Government is not a collection of offices working separately and the issues the public brings to the Government rarely belong to one ministry only.

“A matter may require policy leadership or operational information, funding advice and legal advice from our office and better public service depends on those officers speaking to one another and with respect,” she said.

Your call should be received well!

The same responsibility rests with the Office of the Attorney General staff.

She said legal advice prepared in isolation can miss the operational reality faced by the ministry or agency.

“Pick up the phone and ask questions and understand the policy purpose and co-operation must work in both directions,” she said.

She is also looking at bringing policy makers, lawyers, technical staff together on a regular basis and the relationship form here may be as valuable as in law reform development

Better cooperation across Government leads to better decisions, more timely services and laws can be applied in practice, she said.

The workshop is conducted by Laura Dawal and Kim Wilson from Australia.

Representatives from different Government Ministries attending the workshop.

Australias’ High Commissioner to Samoa, His Excellency William Robinson also spoke on the importance of the workshop.

He made reference to the childrens’ story “Alice in Wonderland” who escaped chaos and met a cat with long paws sitting on a tree and respectfully asked for direction.

His point was when one is confused and in doubt and before they need where to go, ask first.

He then referred to some Samoan proverbs such as Faatonutonu Folau and E Poto le Tautai ae Sesē lana Atuiama, citing the wisdom in such words.

No one sails off into the sea without proper preparation and despite how smart one is, there are bound to be mistakes and before the Government decides on anything, they need to understand the issues and consider the outcome.

The workshop is for one week in two phases and Mauga acknowledges the support of the Australian Government.