Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt told parliament on Monday that Australia had told him to sign the AU$50 million Veimoana agreement to support rugby in Samoa, during a heated exchange in which he accused Opposition Leader Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi of having “failed” the sport.
The exchange unfolded during a discussion on Lakapi Samoa, World Rugby, government support for rugby, and accountability over the reported AU$50 million over five years linked to the Veimoana rugby proposal. The proposal has been signed by the Prime Minister but is still awaiting approval from the Australian government.
“Australia said, Laauli, you have to sign this $50 million to help the rugby in Samoa,” Laaulialemalietoa told parliament.
He said Australia had also made it clear that the government would be responsible for the handling of the money.
“Australia said you (the government) are responsible for the money; accountability and transparency of the money is with the government,” he said. The debate began after Lakapi Samoa Chairman Namulauulu Sami Leota raised the importance of maintaining a strong relationship between Lakapi Samoa and World Rugby.
