Australian tax dollars are funding "very good" roads in Samoa but a government senator believes they're not being used to their optimum value.
Nationals' John Williams, who has travelled to the island nation three times, is concerned Samoans have great infrastructure but no industries to help rescue them from crippling debt.
The country's gross domestic product hovers around $2 billion, with its debt nearing that figure at $1.4 billion.
"They're going down the tube," Senator Williams told a Senate estimates hearing on Thursday.
Australian taxpayers spent $36.8 million last year on projects in Samoa and he wants that directed to areas actually in need, like growing industries.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Senator Williams nominated a booming coffee industry, saying locals were picking beans but have no way of processing them.
The beans are being thrown out, which means the good roads aren't being used to transport produce.
In addition, thousands of acres of good land was not being used to grow anything.
"We've got a situation where we're putting the cart before the horse," Senator Williams said.
"If we don't help these people get industries going they're going to go broke,"
The senator asked Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade official Daniel Sloper if he could identify programs that were boosting the local economy.
Mr Sloper said program priorities, including some that worked with local business, were agreed to with the Samoan government.
