A recent Samoa Observer Op-Ed on the use of Australian aid made for entertaining reading for all Samoans who value and respect the rule of law.

The author went to great lengths to assure the public that the Australian taxpayers’ direct budget support to Samoa will not subsidise the outstanding $WST204,000,000 in the Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi Government’s promised election payments that are due to the 51 districts of Samoa by the end of the current term of Parliament, next year.

The piece also attempted to reassure the FAST government of Australia’s confidence in their expert, efficient, accountable, and transparent leadership.

This is of course an interesting observation by the author, based on FAST senior Cabinet Ministers’ actions and words over the last year that show a complete disregard for the rule of law.

The author has a fantastic sense of humour and is an equal match for our local comedians.

In comedy, timing is everything.

Immediately following the announcement of the $WST36 million grant by Australia, the FAST Minister in charge of delivering the outstanding campaign promise, announced on TV news that the $WST204,000,000 will be fully disbursed by 2025; despite the critical cash flow position of the Government through irresponsible spending.

The Minister never explained how this huge amount would be funded.

No new revenue sources from taxes, cryptocurrency investments, or even off-setting budget cuts have been identified by the FAST leadership.

Just the announcement of the generous direct budget support of the Australian Government.

In the absence of any transparency, the Australian and Samoan taxpayers will of course make the most logical conclusion.

Then another bombshell exploded!

Samoa is now excluded by Australia from the list of countries under its Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) programme that allows skilled workers and their families to apply for permanent residence in Australia!

Why, why, why single out Samoa for discriminatory treatment?

Australia has expressly supported Samoa’s economic growth and the human and social development of our people.

However, to now deny our skilled workers the opportunity to improve the lives of their families is contradictory.

Does this mean that Samoan skilled workers can no longer be trusted?

Or is it to help the FAST Party deliver on their pre-election opposition to our people working overseas?

The brain drain affects all countries, but it is Government’s responsibility to create better working conditions for people to remain in Samoa while also encouraging others to seek opportunities abroad.

This is not the Australia I knew 5 years ago!

That Australia worked with HRPP to build resilient families and communities through education and employment opportunities for the people of Samoa.

That Australia was committed to a genuine and durable partnership for the future of Samoa.

Therefore, HRPP strongly urges Australia to reconsider this most discriminatory and ugly immigration policy against all Samoans and not be a willing partner to cheap political gimmicks.

Even if Samoa is allocated just one visa under the PEV for a skilled Samoan and his/her family, the impact of that decision will last for generations.

And longer than some of the projects funded under the FAST $WST204,000,000 scheme.

We are taught that the good Shepherd would leave his flock in search of the one that was lost.

There is still time to bring that sheep back to the safety of the flock.

God bless Samoa!

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

Leader of HRPP