The Human Rights Protection Party Members of Parliament took note that the total 2024/25 national budget is just over SAT$1 billion, of which approximately SAT$805 million is funded from domestic revenue sources that will cover Statutory Expenditures.
This encompasses the dignity of Samoa and includes the payment of national debts and salaries of its leaders.
However, the remaining balance is not enough to fund Samoa’s current expenditures and development.
This means that our financing needs are dependent on the generosity of donor partners.
It is a dangerous position for Samoa as development partners can cut and redirect their assistance elsewhere anytime.
Since taking its first loan from ADB, to finance the Faleolo International Airport in early 1970, Samoa has never failed to honor its yearly loan commitments.
HRPP first took the reigns of Government in 1982 following the strike in 1981 by Public Servants against the Tupuola Efi Government, whose administration was responsible for Samoa’s economic collapse during the period 1979-1981.
The road to recovery was difficult and challenging for HRPP.
We introduced twenty-four revenue raising legislations and other related financial and monetary measures in 1983.
And following intensive round-table negotiations in Geneva with representatives of donor countries and financial institutions, the confidence of the global community in the ability of Samoa as an independent country to meet its obligations was quickly reestablished.
HRPP further introduced the value added tax (VAGST) in 1994 to include all products and services, which raised revenues.
We all witnessed protest marches against the VAGST organized by Tupuola Efi and his political supporters.
HRPP then introduced the TIMS tax management system that increased Government revenue collection, that the Faatuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi Government is now using.
We cannot understate the contribution of two major projects to our social and economic development in the villages.
First was the tar-sealing of plantation access roads which started with the Faleasi’u Road in 1999.
Second was the changing of our traffic laws in 2009 allowing vehicles to change from driving on the right to the left-hand side of the road.
This allowed our relatives living abroad to send affordable cars from NZ and Australia to families in Samoa.
The shift to hinterlands from the coastal areas, made possible by new access roads and the affordable right-hand drive vehicles, also provided a safer option away from the ravages of tsunamis and destructive rising sea levels.
In response to calls from HRPP MPs during the debate, Prime Minister Fiame has agreed to look again at other problem areas of the budget, including the proposed salary increases which has no basis.
The message for the FAST Party is if you truly wish to make economic and social progress, you must first learn from the lessons of your country’s history and not blindly follow today’s high-profile propagandists.
Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi
Leader of HRPP