Spending time with Lord and Lady Fakatulolo is always an absolute highlight for me when I visit Vavaʻu. Thank you for sharing your insights and for your warm and generous hospitality. What a great night!

Congratulations to the Feletoa community on your beautiful new community hall. Australia was proud to partner with you through the Direct Aid program to support your gravel and kitchen set up! I loved hearing about how youʻre already using the hall for so many community events.

Another fun evening at the Kraken catching up with our Aussies and Australia Award Alumni in Vavaʻu! Thanks for hosting Carol and Andrew.

A pleasure to join Deputy Prime Minister Vaipulu, his wife Mele and members of our wonderful teams for an evening of delicious seafood and wonderful conversation in beautiful Vavaʻu.

A wonderful morning with the Sai Pe Womenʻs Group in Houma. They used an Australian Direct Aid Program grant, and their own fundraising, to build this open air community centre. We had a ball celebrating the opening and talking about their plans and work together.

A pleasure to meet with Town Officer Malia and the village committee of Haʻakio to see their Direct Aid Program grant in use - the committee has repaired the village hall lights and purchased chairs and tables so the hall can now be used in the evenings for students to study.

A pleasure to spend the morning with Vavaʻuʻs impressive MEIDECC team, talking about energy, climate resiliance and disaster preparedness and response.

Congratulations to the Vavaʻu Volunteer Maritime Response Association for your implementation of an Australian funded Direct Aid Program grant which has been used for VHF maritime operations radios and training. Great to join you today to see the training in action!

Great to join Betty Blake and Maa Fafine Mo e Famili in Vavaʻu for the opening of the Training of Trainers for Aged Care Providers, funded by Australia through the AFP led Families Free of Violence program. An inspiring group of women caring for their communites.

Another magnificent evening at Tupou College. Honoured to join Her Majesty Queen Nanasipauʻu Tukuʻaho, the Chair, Principal and Deputy Principal from MLC School Sydney, David Mulford and the Principal, staff and students for Sunday Po-Lotu.

Congratulations Minister ‘Utoikamanu and the Tonga Tourism Authority on the launch of your rebranding! A big step in revitalizing Tonga’s tourism sector. Australia and New Zealand are proud to support you through the Market Development Facility.
Photo credits to TTA.

Sending my best wishes to His Majesty Emperor Naruhito and the people of Japan as they celebrate the Emperor’s birthday.

Australia and Japan are close friends and share a Special Strategic Partnership - and we are working together to ensure a better future for our region.

A pleasure to join Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku and Fire Commissioner Tu’ihalamaka to celebrate the graduation of Recruit Training Force No 14. 13 men and 7 women joined with ‘Enisela Taipaleti recognized as top of her class. Well done all! And thank you for your contribution.

Yesterday was my last day as a Public Servant. I thank God for the opportunity to have served the country and people I love for the past 19 years. Thank you Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni - Huakavameiliku and Foreign Minister Fekitamoeloa K. Utoikamanu for your leadership & the honour of serving under you 🇹🇴

A great joy to join Guest of Honor His Royal Highness Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala and family for the 158 year celebrations at Tupou College yesterday. As ever the music was incredible. An unforgettable experience. Congratulations Principal ‘Alifeleti, teachers and students

Australia is proud to support Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku’s renewable energy goals for Tonga.
We understand transitions take time and reliability is important.
Congratulations to Tonga Power’s hardworking team on the installation of your new GenSet, gifted by Australia.

Wonderful to have staff from Australia’s e-safety commissioner in Nuku’alofa this week to deliver training to support frontline staff address technology facilitated gender based violence. As threats change so must our skills and response.

Congratulations Hon Minister for Health Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola. We are looking forward to continuing to work with you and your fantastic health team.

Minister Wong and Minister ‘Utoikamanu met at the Indian Ocean Conference to discuss a vision for our region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous.

Read my speech to the Indian Ocean Conference here: foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny…