Samoan parliamentary delegation strengthens ties with Australia

A delegation from the Legislative Assembly of Samoa visited Australia last week as a Guest of the Australian Parliament, helping to strengthen the longstanding ties between the parliaments and people of Samoa and Australia.

The delegation was led by Speaker Hon. Auapaau Mulipola Aloitafua Mulipola. He is joined by Hon. Loau Solamalemalo Keneti Sio MP, Associate Minister for Education and Culture Leatigaga Matafai Lauina Iiga Tato MP, and Associate Minister for Communications and Information Technology Leilua Sagato Karene Sosene MP.

In Canberra, the delegation was welcomed to Australian Parliament House by Senator the Hon Sue Lines, President of the Senate, and the Hon Milton Dick MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The delegation met with both parliamentary leaders. Speaker Dick thanked Samoa and Speaker Auapaau for supporting his successful bid to become President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

Samoan Parliamentary delegation in Canberra were welcomed to the Australian Parliament House by Senator the Hon Sue Lines, President of the Senate, and the Hon Milton Dick MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The delegation also attended Question Time in the Senate and House of Representatives, where they met Prime Minister Toeolesulusulu Anthony Albanese, Australian ministers and other members of parliament.

During their time in Canberra, the delegation discussed how Australia’s Parliament works, including parliamentary procedures, the role of the Opposition, parliamentary ethics and standards, the committee system, and how parliamentary business is managed. They also met members of the Australia-Samoa Parliamentary Country Group.

Speaker Auapaau said the visit reflected the strong relationship between Samoa and Australia and the value of sharing experiences between the two countries’ parliaments.

“Samoa and Australia share a close and enduring friendship, built on strong ties between our people and institutions. This visit has been a valuable opportunity to deepen those connections and to exchange experiences with our parliamentary colleagues in Australia.

“Strong parliaments are important to strong democracies. We value the opportunity to learn from one another and to continue strengthening the relationship between the Legislative Assembly of Samoa and Australia’s parliaments.

The delegation also visited the Australian Federal Police’s Pinkenba Hub, which supports training and capability development for police across the Pacific. There, they met Samoa Police Inspector Lopati Peniata.

“This was a fruitful visit that deepened our understanding of Australian parliamentary democracy. Samoa has one house of parliament, so it was valuable to learn more about the different roles and responsibilities of Australia’s federal and state parliaments.”

Before travelling to Canberra, the delegation spent several days in Brisbane. At Queensland Parliament, they were hosted by the Honourable Pat Weir MP, Speaker of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.

Their program included discussions about how parliament holds government to account, the committee system, parliamentary ethics and procedures. The delegation also attended Question Time in the Queensland Legislative Assembly.

While in Queensland, the delegation visited the Australian Federal Police’s Pinkenba Hub, which supports training and capability development for police across the Pacific. There, they met Samoa Police Inspector Lopati Peniata.

The Parliamentary delegation with the Brisbane Samoan community for Lotu Tamaiti – Children’s White Sunday 11 October.

The delegation also joined Brisbane’s Samoan community for a White Sunday church service.

The Guest of Parliament visit ran from 10 to 17 October, with engagements in Brisbane, Canberra and Sydney.

The visit builds on Australia’s longstanding support for Samoa’s parliamentary system, including support for the construction of the Maota Fono parliament building and the Legislative Assembly Office.