New 'FAST' political party to be launched in July

By Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong 09 July 2020, 2:22PM

A new political party spearheaded by Member of Parliament for Gagaifomauga no3, La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt is building up to be launched before the end of July. 

La’auli who is on a mission to fulfill the will of his constituency to launch a new party after declaring his resignation from parliament says registration of the new party will be made in July. 

Just behind where La’auli is sitting is the name “Fa’avae ile Atua Samoa Tutoatasi” with pamphlets under the name “FAST” with the slogan “Vote for Change”. 

Next to his photo is that of Salega East M.P., Olo Fiti Vaai and M.P. for Urban West, Faumuina Wayne Fong. Faumuina was recently removed from the Human Rights Protection Party. 

“The day I resigned I felt comforted from many of those that came,” said La’auli. 

“There are many [candidates] and I believe that God will armed me with the crew to sail through this journey.”

The former Speaker reiterated that before the end of the month the new party will be launched and their candidates will be named.

“I will return to Savai’i to seek their blessings [Pule] and those candidates and constituencies that have expressed their support,” he said. 

“Before the party is registered I will also seek the blessings of those in Tumua [Upolu] and the consent from the respective families and constituencies including those that will stand up to be part of this journey.” 

Earlier this month, La’auli declared his resignation from parliament after a report on the Privilege and Ethics Committee recommended to suspend him for three months without benefits. 

The recommendation was based on findings from the Committee that found the former Cabinet Minister guilty of misleading parliament over comments he made about a “costly generator”. 

Before the Assembly could decide on his fate, La’auli took the floor and offered his resignation verbally. 

Speaker of the House, Leaupepe Toleafoa Faafisi moved a motion for La’auli to write an official resignation letter in accordance to requirement from the Constitution to formalise his decision. 

This was after parliament seconded a motion moved by Deputy Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa to accept the Committee’s report into La’auli and issue a warning for him instead of a suspension. 

Upon returning to his constituency on the same week, the elderly men of Gagaifomauga no3 instructed La’auli to not tender his official resignation but to form a new political party. 

By Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong 09 July 2020, 2:22PM

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