❓ Mr Papalia questions the Premier's decision to reject a proposal to host Liverpool Football Club in WA, citing potential economic benefits. The Premier defends the decision, arguing the cost was not justified given other priorities.
AnsweredQoN 403Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
TOURISM — LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB VISIT
403. Mr P. PAPALIA to the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's flippant dismissal of the
missed opportunity to host Liverpool Football Club in WA when he said that it
is only a football game, and reports by the Victorian government that the Liverpool
visit to Victoria drew 10 000 international and interstate visitors and
generated well in excess of $10 million in economic benefits to the state.
(1) Is it true
that Eventscorp assessed the Liverpool visit as a very good opportunity and
recommended it to the government in mid-2012?
(2) Did the
government reject the proposal resulting in the opportunity being missed and
the Liverpool visit going to Victoria?
(3) What cost–benefit
analysis did the government conduct before rejecting the Eventscorp proposal,
if it actually did that?
403. Mr P. PAPALIA to the Premier:
I refer to the Premier's flippant dismissal of the
missed opportunity to host Liverpool Football Club in WA when he said that it
is only a football game, and reports by the Victorian government that the Liverpool
visit to Victoria drew 10 000 international and interstate visitors and
generated well in excess of $10 million in economic benefits to the state.
(1) Is it true
that Eventscorp assessed the Liverpool visit as a very good opportunity and
recommended it to the government in mid-2012?
(2) Did the
government reject the proposal resulting in the opportunity being missed and
the Liverpool visit going to Victoria?
(3) What cost–benefit
analysis did the government conduct before rejecting the Eventscorp proposal,
if it actually did that?
AnswerView source ↗
Just before I answer that, following the question from the
member for Victoria Park, I confirm that all promotion of information from the
budget will be done via social media and infographics. Obviously there are
costs in preparing material, and I am advised that there have been no
advertisements placed in print, radio or television—none.
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Not those either. So I would expect the member for Victoria Park —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Mandurah!
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I would expect the member for Victoria Park to put out a
press release congratulating the government on its austerity.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Premier!
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Come on! Calm down, you got it wrong.
The SPEAKER :
Premier, just answer the question, please.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Yes, Mr Speaker.
(1)–(3) Getting back to the Liverpool Football Club —
Mr W.J. Johnston :
Stick to standing orders!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Come on, precious!
Getting back to the Liverpool Football Club, there are many,
many proposals that come through Eventscorp and the Tourism Commission for
promotion.
Mr W.J. Johnston interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Cannington!
Mr W.J. Johnston interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time.
Premier, we have two minutes.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Two recent proposals have come before the government. One
that we have accepted is promotion of the Margaret River surfing event to world
tour status, and that is now for both men and women from next year. I think
that is fantastic and the right decision. So when the suggestion comes at a
price range of $2 million to $3 million for an exhibition game by the Liverpool
Football Club—two hours of football—is that justified? I do not
think so; I do not think it is.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I do not think it is. Members opposite come in here quite
rightly and complain about health care and so on.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Cannington!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Should we spend $2 million to $3 million of scarce taxpayers' money on
a two-hour football game? I know soccer fans would love it; I know that. To say
there is a $10 million benefit, that is turnover; that is not return to the
state.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Let us get it quite clear now: the Labor Party believes we
should have spent $2 million to $3 million on an exhibition game by Liverpool
for the sole benefit of soccer fans who went along.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : You don't; I agree. It is not worth it. It was not a
silly proposal, but we did not do it.
Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Midland!
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
remind members that Melbourne did do it. I think the Victorians put $1 million
into it, but they have the MCG that can hold 100 000 people; we do not have
that.
Sitting suspended from 12.58 to 2.00 pm
member for Victoria Park, I confirm that all promotion of information from the
budget will be done via social media and infographics. Obviously there are
costs in preparing material, and I am advised that there have been no
advertisements placed in print, radio or television—none.
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Not those either. So I would expect the member for Victoria Park —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Mandurah!
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I would expect the member for Victoria Park to put out a
press release congratulating the government on its austerity.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Premier!
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Come on! Calm down, you got it wrong.
The SPEAKER :
Premier, just answer the question, please.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Yes, Mr Speaker.
(1)–(3) Getting back to the Liverpool Football Club —
Mr W.J. Johnston :
Stick to standing orders!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Come on, precious!
Getting back to the Liverpool Football Club, there are many,
many proposals that come through Eventscorp and the Tourism Commission for
promotion.
Mr W.J. Johnston interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Cannington!
Mr W.J. Johnston interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Cannington, I call you to order for the first time.
Premier, we have two minutes.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Two recent proposals have come before the government. One
that we have accepted is promotion of the Margaret River surfing event to world
tour status, and that is now for both men and women from next year. I think
that is fantastic and the right decision. So when the suggestion comes at a
price range of $2 million to $3 million for an exhibition game by the Liverpool
Football Club—two hours of football—is that justified? I do not
think so; I do not think it is.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I do not think it is. Members opposite come in here quite
rightly and complain about health care and so on.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Cannington!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Should we spend $2 million to $3 million of scarce taxpayers' money on
a two-hour football game? I know soccer fans would love it; I know that. To say
there is a $10 million benefit, that is turnover; that is not return to the
state.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Let us get it quite clear now: the Labor Party believes we
should have spent $2 million to $3 million on an exhibition game by Liverpool
for the sole benefit of soccer fans who went along.
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : You don't; I agree. It is not worth it. It was not a
silly proposal, but we did not do it.
Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Midland!
Mr C.J. BARNETT : I
remind members that Melbourne did do it. I think the Victorians put $1 million
into it, but they have the MCG that can hold 100 000 people; we do not have
that.
Sitting suspended from 12.58 to 2.00 pm
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