Samoa to Welcome Back Hon Penny Wong

2026-02-20 - 15:17

Samoa is preparing to welcome the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Penny Wong, who is scheduled for a short 28-hour trip starting 24th February. This was announced by Samoa Prime Minister, Hon Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt during his Wednesday press conference with local media. The Prime Minister explained that the visit will focus on several important matters, including the signing of agreements related to Australia’s support for the construction of Samoa’s new Parliament Building and Legislative Assembly Office. This project is being funded by Australia and is expected to be officially opened on the 1st of June 2026. He also shared that Samoa plans to extend a special invitation to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, to travel to Samoa to formally open the new building once it is complted. The Australian Foreign Affairs Minister has been to Samoa several times before. In June 2022 Hon Penny Wong visited Samoa during its 60th Independence anniversary, and announced Australia would be providing a guardian-class patrol boat for Samoa, to replace the Nafanua II. At the same visit Minister Wong announced the eight-year Tautua partnership between Australia and Samoa to address its human development and social inclusion priorities.