As the country counts down to the Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) this month, the ruling party will kick start its birthday celebration abroad and return in time for the leaders’ event.  

Chairman for the Fa’atuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (F.A.S.T.), La’auli Leuatea Schmidt assured the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers are committed to attending CHOGM. 

La’auli said the F.A.S.T. trip that includes a late celebration of the party’s anniversary and fundraising was planned in June and this is the only available time for their supporters. 

The trip kicks off in Brisbane Australia in early October with the Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa attending one of the four celebrations scheduled for states in Australia. 

The government leaders will head back to Samoa in time to welcome Commonwealth leaders. The trip will resume in November when the part goes to the United States of America and wrap up the celebration in New Zealand in December. 

Fiame is also scheduled to participate in one of the party events in the United States and New Zealand. 

“The availability of our families overseas is something we have no control over and the reason why we rolled out the programme on those dates,” La’auli said in an interview with the Samoa Observer. 

“They planned it themselves and let us know the time to be there. The concerns from the Opposition Leader, we will all be in the country for CHOGM and planned around it.”

La’auli who is also the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries (M.A.F.) was asked about the priorities of the government considering the nation has prioritised CHOGM. 

He said there are officials tasked with CHOGM preparations which they are part of but reminded of the importance of acknowledging the support of the diaspora. 

“We are not going for good we will make ourselves available [for CHOGM] and not all MPs will be going for it – everyone has their own assigned task,” said the F.A.S.T. Chairman. 

“We also acknowledge our people living overseas, at the end of the day this is a one-time time for us to host the meeting and we cannot neglect our people, they are with us for life. 

“This is what they wanted and the available time and we designed the celebration around those dates and CHOGM as well.” 

According to La’auli, he is the only Cabinet Minister who will be at all the events because he was the Chairman of the party. Other Cabinet Ministers can only attend one event and return to their ministerial roles. 

Asked if there is a government policy to allow the Cabinet to leave their duties for fundraising purposes, La’auli said there is a “Cabinet mandate that grants leave for family or political matters”. 

He continued that permission has to be sought first for Cabinet Ministers to take leave for the celebration or any family matters and they are taking leave for political party purposes. 

Furthermore, he said the trips for the Cabinet Ministers to attend the F.AS.T. celebration will be funded out of their own pockets not public funds. 

La’auli stressed the importance of holding the party’s celebration to meet and thank their supporters and to gather their thoughts on the party’s future plan. 

Opposition Leader, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi had raised concerns about the ruling party holding a political fundraising coinciding with the summit. 

“It reflects poorly on our country if leaders, particularly cabinet ministers, choose to miss the meeting for personal gain,” he said.

Tuilaepa emphasised that prioritising the summit is essential, warning that participation in fundraising activities during such a critical time could suggest self-serving motives.