❓ Hon Neil Thomson questions the impact of entry fees on attendance at the WA Museum Boola Bardip, citing concerns about reduced access. The parliamentary secretary acknowledges a decrease but highlights mitigating factors and alternative access options.
AnsweredQoN 293Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM BOOLA BARDIP —
ATTENDANCES
293. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Culture and the Arts:
I refer to the recent introduction
of entry fees to the Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip and note concerns
that this has resulted in a significant reduction in attendances.
(1) Have daily attendances reduced
since the entry fee was introduced?
(2) How much has been raised by the entry fee?
(3) Given the
cultural importance of the Museum and the significant investment made by the
state in renewing the Museum, why has the Labor government decided to restrict
access to this important facility?
ATTENDANCES
293. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Culture and the Arts:
I refer to the recent introduction
of entry fees to the Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip and note concerns
that this has resulted in a significant reduction in attendances.
(1) Have daily attendances reduced
since the entry fee was introduced?
(2) How much has been raised by the entry fee?
(3) Given the
cultural importance of the Museum and the significant investment made by the
state in renewing the Museum, why has the Labor government decided to restrict
access to this important facility?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) Yes, from the
day of opening the Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip until the last day of
free admission, 9 October 2022, daily attendances averaged 1 597 visitors. From
10 October 2022 until 31 March 2024 daily visitation averaged 1 014 visitors.
However, it should be noted that visitation is impacted by many variables—for
example, special exhibition and event programs, the effects of the pandemic and increased interest due to opening of
the new Museum, so direct comparisons are problematic.
(2) An amount of $2 965 108 from 10
October 2022 to 31 March 2024.
(3) With regard
to access, visitors aged under 16 years will continue to be admitted free of
charge. Concession tickets are available and there is free access for carers.
The Museum implemented a pay once, come often membership model, by which
visitors can secure an annual membership as a ''Museum Fan'' for
the price of a single admission. This
provides unlimited general admission for a year, benefiting Western Australians and encouraging repeat visitation. There are enhanced categories of membership
with additional benefits offered for increased contributions: ''Super
Fan'' and ''Friend''. In total, there are nearly 45 000 members
currently registered at the WA Museum Boola Bardip. The Museum also hosts
literally hundreds of events each year, many of which are free to attend.
some notice of the question.
(1) Yes, from the
day of opening the Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip until the last day of
free admission, 9 October 2022, daily attendances averaged 1 597 visitors. From
10 October 2022 until 31 March 2024 daily visitation averaged 1 014 visitors.
However, it should be noted that visitation is impacted by many variables—for
example, special exhibition and event programs, the effects of the pandemic and increased interest due to opening of
the new Museum, so direct comparisons are problematic.
(2) An amount of $2 965 108 from 10
October 2022 to 31 March 2024.
(3) With regard
to access, visitors aged under 16 years will continue to be admitted free of
charge. Concession tickets are available and there is free access for carers.
The Museum implemented a pay once, come often membership model, by which
visitors can secure an annual membership as a ''Museum Fan'' for
the price of a single admission. This
provides unlimited general admission for a year, benefiting Western Australians and encouraging repeat visitation. There are enhanced categories of membership
with additional benefits offered for increased contributions: ''Super
Fan'' and ''Friend''. In total, there are nearly 45 000 members
currently registered at the WA Museum Boola Bardip. The Museum also hosts
literally hundreds of events each year, many of which are free to attend.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.