FAST Party

Senior politician calls for pan-Samoan talks on travel and trade issues

The FAST Party's Tea Peato was speaking during the 2022/2023 Budget debate this week.

The Samoa Observer reports he said that the talks between the two Samoas should be resumed to address this travel issue and to make it easier for strengthening trade relations.

Tea Peato said the current online Talofa Pass system being used by American Samoa for travellers to the territory was complicated and should be made accessible for all.

     

FAST party to challenge provision allowing two extra women MPs

The Samoa Observer reports FAST chairman La'auli Leuatea Schmidt said on Friday that party lawyers are set to file the application on Monday.

At the close of the final count for by-election votes last Friday, Electoral Commissioner Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio, invoked the provision allowing two extra women members to be elected based on percentage of votes cast in the constituency for them.

The Head of State has now issued writs of appointment for the two HRPP members Aliimalemanu Alofa Tu'uau and Fa'agaseali'i Sapo'a Feagia'i.

Samoa's FAST secures another seat

The court ruled that the Falealupo electoral constituency was won by FAST's Fuiono Tenina Crichton.

Chief Justice Satiu Simativa Perese and Justice Niava Mata Tuatagaloa found that the Human Rights Protection Party candidate Tuitogamanaia Dr Peniamina Leavai failed to meet the conditions to run.

FAST now has 27 seats and the HRPP 18.

Six by-elections are still outstanding.

     

Former Manu Samoa coach to stand for FAST in by-election

The Samoa Observer reports Faleomavaega will be standing for the governing Faatuatua I Le Atua Samoa ua Tasi party, in the November 26 by-election.

Faleomavaega's brother, Tafua Maluelue, held the seat before the April 9 General Elections this year but lost to another HRPP candidate Fiugalu Eteuati.

Tafua filed a petition against Fiugalu which led to the court upholding charges of treating and bribery and voiding the Fiugalu win.

New Government aims to improve on Samoa’s $1 billion public debt

While presenting the National Budget Address 2021/2022 in Parliament yesterday, Afioga emphasized that the new government will work together to avoid such a debt in the future.

“It is unfortunate for the new government to inherit such high debt but it is committed to start reforms on governance to include public finance management, debt sustainability and fiscal consolidation in general to build adequate fiscal space for ‘rainy days’ over the medium term.”

Samoa cabinet ministers say no to new SUVs

It aims to save about $US950,000 dollars by ending a long running practice of cabinet ministers getting new luxury SUVs on taking office.

The Samoa Observer said the Human Rights Protection Party government, which was voted out in April, had a policy of purchasing new four wheel drive vehicles for MPs at the start of each five year parliamentary term.

A fleet of 13 new vehicles would cost the country nearly $US one million dollars.

Samoa's FAST MPs want their pay

Finance Minister Mulipola Anarosa Ale-Molio'o has told the Samoa Observer MPs have asked about the status of their salary payments.

She confirmed they had not been paid since they were elected and subsequently sworn in on 24 May in the now infamous tent swearing in ceremony.

Mulipola said that they are now in their second week in control of government coffers but they have not yet been paid.

Rally against Samoa judiciary banned from Savai'i village

The march, organised by the opposition HRPP party, follows two on Upolu in the last 10 days.

Village chiefs of Salelologa, the site of a hall planned as the centre of the protest, decided at a meeting yesterday to stop the march from entering their village.

Large rocks and logs have been placed to block the village entrance.

A heavy police presence is in place.

The prime minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa has called for peace.

The decision by the village led to the HRPP party changing its plans.

Samoa PM lenient towards unsworn MPs

The FAST party members, which won the April election, were sworn in under a tent outside parliament while the 25 HRPP members stayed away after a declaration by the Head of State who voided an earlier call for the meeting.

According to the Samoa Observer, the new Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa said regardless of the differences between political parties the unsworn members represent their constituents.

FAST leader says Tuilaepa wrong on seasonal work claim

FAST's Fiame Naomi Mata'afa and HRPP's Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi have been battling to take control of the government since the election on 9th April.

Tuilaepa told a radio audience on Thursday that FAST would stop all seasonal work in Australia and New Zealand once they are in power.

Fiame said that's not true, but she said the party does want some emphasis on creating small enterprises within Samoa.