Australian Foreign Minister visit cancelled

By Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong 25 January 2020, 12:56PM

A planned visit to Samoa next week by the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Marise Payne, has been cancelled, according to the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Tiatia Graeme Tualaulelei. 

Tiatia told the Samoa Observer that the visit was planned to coincide with the launching of a project for the new Legislative Assembly Office funded by Australia. 

A reception for Senator Payne had been scheduled to be held on Sunday at the Australian High Commissioner's residence, to coincide with Australia's national holiday. 

Tiatia said he is unaware of the reason behind the cancellation but said he received an email from the Australian High Commission which advised of the cancellation. 

An attempt to get a comment from the Australia High Commission Office in Apia was unsuccessful. 

In August 2018, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop was in Samoa to announce several projects funded by the Australian Government. 

The former Minister also announced additional funding committed to building the current Parliament building and the Legislative branch office.

She did not reveal at the time how much the Government was offering to fund the Legislative office. 

By Matai'a Lanuola Tusani T - Ah Tong 25 January 2020, 12:56PM
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