Australia will contribute approximately $28 million to Samoa’s treasury this year said Australia’s High Commissioner to Samoa William Robinson at the Australia Day reception at his residence in Tiapapata on Thursday.

In his speech, High Commissioner William Robinson spoke about the deep ties between the two nations, shaped by family, culture, and shared values.  

"If our government-to-government relationship is a fale Samoa, then the bedrock on which it is built is the deep ties between our people," said High Commissioner Robinson.

Nearly 100,000 Samoans now calling Australia home, the High Commissioner highlighted the achievements of Australians with Samoan heritage who are proud ambassadors for both nations.

This includes Anasina Gray-Barberio, the first Samoan to be elected in an Australian state parliament; Jai Opetaia, the current IBF Cruiserweight champion; ABC journalists Aggie Tupou and Seiuli Salamasina von Reiche; and Philadelphia Eagles player Jordan Mailata, whose team just won the Super Bowl, to name a few.

“Construction of the Legislative Assembly Office remains on schedule, even through this rainy season. Over 60 per cent of construction by value is being delivered by Samoan firms,” said Mr Robinson.

“But as elsewhere it is not buildings but people who give life to institutions: the twinning of the parliaments of Samoa and Tasmania is helping us to learn from one another.

“Through our Tautai partnership and through a regional forum of Pacific Electoral Commissions, we are proud to support Samoa’s Office of the Electoral Commission in its work.

“Through the Pacific Islands Law Officers’ Network, our Attorney General’s offices are collaborating on key law and justice issues.”

Mr Robinson said police cooperation between Australia and Samoa continued to support safety and security in both nations and the region.

He said the Australia-Samoa partnership also encompasses economic growth.

“It is Samoa’s strong systems of government – alongside the strategic trust we share – that allows us to provide such support. Health and education also remain central to our partnership,” he said.

“This year, nearly 50 Samoan students have been awarded Australia Awards scholarships.”

Mr Robinson acknowledged the work of Samoa’s civil society groups.

“In recent years Senese Inclusive Education Services, supported by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, has fitted over 750 hearing devices for people with hearing impairment,” he added.

“In 2024 alone Samoa’s NGO’s, with support from our Tautua partnership, helped 7,500 women to access services in health, gender-based violence, and economic empowerment.

“If our government-to-government relationship is a fale Samoa, then the bedrock on which it is built is the deep ties between our people.”

Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa also delivered remarks offering her warmest wishes on behalf of the people of Samoa for Australia, and to celebrate the breadth of the Samoa-Australia partnership.