❓ Ms. Shaw asks the Premier about the WA government's collaborative efforts with the Commonwealth and industry to address the impact of COVID-19. The Premier outlines the government's actions, including meetings with industry, a tourism support package, and communication with the Prime Minister.
AnsweredQoN 103Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS —
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
103. Ms J.J. SHAW to the Premier:
Before I begin, can I welcome the
Mundaring seniors group on behalf of the member for Kalamunda and also on my
own behalf. I know there are constituents of Swan Hills amongst the group.
I refer to the state government's
response to COVID-19. Can the Premier outline to the house how the state
government is working with both the commonwealth and industry in addressing the
impact of COVID-19 on the community and the wider economy?
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
103. Ms J.J. SHAW to the Premier:
Before I begin, can I welcome the
Mundaring seniors group on behalf of the member for Kalamunda and also on my
own behalf. I know there are constituents of Swan Hills amongst the group.
I refer to the state government's
response to COVID-19. Can the Premier outline to the house how the state
government is working with both the commonwealth and industry in addressing the
impact of COVID-19 on the community and the wider economy?
AnswerView source ↗
I
thank the member for Swan Hills for the question. Coronavirus, COVID-19, poses
a challenge for the entire nation . That is why we are working cooperatively
with the federal government and, indeed, I am working cooperatively with the
Prime Minister. From a health perspective, the Department of Health has been
working tirelessly with its national and international counterparts to prepare Western
Australia for the likelihood of this virus becoming more widespread. We are also responding to the
potential economic impacts that will also require a close and coordinated effort with the commonwealth. Indeed, on Friday, I will be attending the
Council of Australian Governments in Sydney, where I will continue to put a range
of measures to the commonwealth government that it could adopt. To date, the
Prime Minister has kept me informed as the situation has unfolded, and I had a long
conversation with him on Saturday morning. I would like to thank him for his
cooperation and communication. It has allowed the state to respond quickly.
Within two days of the commonwealth
implementing its travel ban on China on 1 February, we were able to convene a series
of roundtable meetings with industry. On 3 February, we met with
representatives of the tourism sector; separately, international education; and
separately, the resources, agriculture and energy sectors for major roundtables
in ministers' offices.
Following
those meetings, we launched a major tourism support package later that week or
early the following week of $13 million, funding that will allow us to conduct
one of the biggest intrastate—inside Western Australia—tourism
campaigns in the state's history. If Western Australians take just
one-quarter of their usual overseas or interstate holidays in WA instead, it
will mean more than half a million trips taken in WA worth $250 million to the
state's economy. Over coming weeks, we will announce some travel offers
with airlines and travel companies that will focus on deals to attract people
to Western Australia. Obviously, Western Australia is disadvantaged compared
with other states. It is far easier to travel from Victoria to New South Wales
or Queensland than it is to come across the country, and I think that is
something the commonwealth needs to take into account in any tourism campaigns
it launches.
I would like to note the comments of
Evan Hall from the Tourism Council of Western Australia who said —
''Western Australia has moved
quicker than other States to respond to the coronavirus travel ban and secure
new marketing deals to support the industry.
I would like to note what Chris
Rodwell from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia said —
It
is a positive step, demonstrating that the government understands the impact of
coronavirus on WA business.
We have also been in close contact
with the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia, and, indeed, I will
meet with it tomorrow.
On 6 February, I relayed the
feedback I received from industry to the Prime Minister. I wrote regarding
quarantine measures in ports, support for the WA tourism industry and visa
renewals and extensions for international students. The commonwealth has responded positively to some of those issues. It is
encouraging to note that the commonwealth government is preparing an
economic stimulus package. It is said that part of that could be infrastructure
projects. The state government has once again put forward the $900 million regional
road safety program, and the minister and I have written to the Prime Minister
again today about that matter, asking for a funding partnership. That would see
17 400 kilometres of highways and main roads upgraded with safety measures
across the state. The work could start immediately. Obviously, it would create
hundreds and potentially thousands of jobs. This is a time for calmness, for
considered responses and for all levels of government to work cooperatively
together.
thank the member for Swan Hills for the question. Coronavirus, COVID-19, poses
a challenge for the entire nation . That is why we are working cooperatively
with the federal government and, indeed, I am working cooperatively with the
Prime Minister. From a health perspective, the Department of Health has been
working tirelessly with its national and international counterparts to prepare Western
Australia for the likelihood of this virus becoming more widespread. We are also responding to the
potential economic impacts that will also require a close and coordinated effort with the commonwealth. Indeed, on Friday, I will be attending the
Council of Australian Governments in Sydney, where I will continue to put a range
of measures to the commonwealth government that it could adopt. To date, the
Prime Minister has kept me informed as the situation has unfolded, and I had a long
conversation with him on Saturday morning. I would like to thank him for his
cooperation and communication. It has allowed the state to respond quickly.
Within two days of the commonwealth
implementing its travel ban on China on 1 February, we were able to convene a series
of roundtable meetings with industry. On 3 February, we met with
representatives of the tourism sector; separately, international education; and
separately, the resources, agriculture and energy sectors for major roundtables
in ministers' offices.
Following
those meetings, we launched a major tourism support package later that week or
early the following week of $13 million, funding that will allow us to conduct
one of the biggest intrastate—inside Western Australia—tourism
campaigns in the state's history. If Western Australians take just
one-quarter of their usual overseas or interstate holidays in WA instead, it
will mean more than half a million trips taken in WA worth $250 million to the
state's economy. Over coming weeks, we will announce some travel offers
with airlines and travel companies that will focus on deals to attract people
to Western Australia. Obviously, Western Australia is disadvantaged compared
with other states. It is far easier to travel from Victoria to New South Wales
or Queensland than it is to come across the country, and I think that is
something the commonwealth needs to take into account in any tourism campaigns
it launches.
I would like to note the comments of
Evan Hall from the Tourism Council of Western Australia who said —
''Western Australia has moved
quicker than other States to respond to the coronavirus travel ban and secure
new marketing deals to support the industry.
I would like to note what Chris
Rodwell from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia said —
It
is a positive step, demonstrating that the government understands the impact of
coronavirus on WA business.
We have also been in close contact
with the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia, and, indeed, I will
meet with it tomorrow.
On 6 February, I relayed the
feedback I received from industry to the Prime Minister. I wrote regarding
quarantine measures in ports, support for the WA tourism industry and visa
renewals and extensions for international students. The commonwealth has responded positively to some of those issues. It is
encouraging to note that the commonwealth government is preparing an
economic stimulus package. It is said that part of that could be infrastructure
projects. The state government has once again put forward the $900 million regional
road safety program, and the minister and I have written to the Prime Minister
again today about that matter, asking for a funding partnership. That would see
17 400 kilometres of highways and main roads upgraded with safety measures
across the state. The work could start immediately. Obviously, it would create
hundreds and potentially thousands of jobs. This is a time for calmness, for
considered responses and for all levels of government to work cooperatively
together.
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