A high-level delegation from the Legislative Assembly of Tonga is currently undertaking an official visit to Australia from 21 to 28 June 2025, as part of an Australia-led initiative to enhance regional cooperation and deepen bilateral relations.
Leading the delegation are Hon. Hu‘akavameiliku (Siaosi Sovaleni), former Prime Minister and People’s Representative for Tongatapu 3, and Lord Tu‘ilakepa, Chairman of the Whole House Committee and Nobles’ Representative for Vava‘u 2. They are joined by Hon. Dr. Mo‘ale ‘Otunuku, People’s Representative for Vava‘u 14, Dr. Sione Vikilani, Deputy Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, and Mr. Cullum Finley, Second Secretary at the Australian High Commission in Tonga.
The visit began with the delegation attending a morning service with the Free Church of Tonga congregation in Sydney, before travelling to Canberra for a series of high-level engagements.
The delegation was officially welcomed by Stacy Nation, Assistant Secretary of the Polynesia Branch at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and Rachael Moore, former Australian High Commissioner to Tonga and now Assistant Secretary of the Infrastructure Financing Facility.
Key highlights of the visit included a roundtable discussion with DFAT’s Maritime and Border Security team, focusing on issues such as illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, policing, maritime surveillance, border control, and counter-narcotics efforts. The meeting was chaired by Rob Krauss, Assistant Secretary for Pacific Security at DFAT, and attended by representatives from DFAT’s Pacific Security Branch, the Department of Defence, the Australian Border Force, and the Australian Federal Police.
The delegation also laid a wreath at the Australian War Memorial during the Last Post Ceremony, paying respect to fallen soldiers.
In Canberra, Tonga’s Acting High Commissioner Curtis Tu’ihalangingie hosted a formal dinner in honour of the delegation, attended by community leaders, students from the Australian National University, and representatives of the Tongan diaspora.
On Tuesday the delegation will have meetings with DFAT on Cyber and Online Safety, Department of Education and Department of Infrastructure.