❓ Ms. Rowe asks about the government's investment in major events and if anyone opposes these investments. Ms. Saffioti highlights the success of the AFL State of Origin and criticizes the Leader of the Opposition's past opposition to such events.
AnsweredQoN 6Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
AFL State of Origin6.Ms Cassie Roweto
theMinister for Sport and Recreation:I refer to the
successful return of the AFL State of Origin over the weekend.(1) Can the minister outline to the house how our
government is investing in major events of all types as part of its ongoing
efforts to diversify our economy?(2) Is the minister aware of anyone who is opposed
to these investments?
theMinister for Sport and Recreation:I refer to the
successful return of the AFL State of Origin over the weekend.(1) Can the minister outline to the house how our
government is investing in major events of all types as part of its ongoing
efforts to diversify our economy?(2) Is the minister aware of anyone who is opposed
to these investments?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) As part of our diversification
strategy and as part of building our economy into the future, we are supporting
a lot of industries. Of course, the hospitality industry is a key industry that
we are supporting. The event strategy is all about supporting small businesses and
other businesses in this state by holding key events that attract people from
interstate and overseas. Over the weekend, we saw the successfulreturn of Origin to WA, members. It was an incredible
success. The metrics that the Minister for Tourismis always looking at
show how successful it was: 8,000 visitors from interstate, a packed Optus
Stadium and 58,000 tickets sold. From a sport and recreation angle, it is also
about building a legacy—a legacy for the people of Western Australia. As
part of the deal with the AFL, we are creating a community investment fund. The
net proceeds from that game will go to the development pathways for junior
footballers around the state, members, particularly focusing on regional
Western Australia and Indigenous players throughout the North West and
throughout regional WA. This is all about making sure that we can use the
success of these events and invest not only in the hospitality sector, but also
in the community and making sure that there is a long-lasting legacy for
community football throughout the state. This has been a key part of why we saw
the opportunity to do this deal with the AFL, of course, as a joint partnership
between the AFL, WA Football and also the state government.But, of course, members would realise
that sometimes when you go to secure these events, people criticise you. There
are people who are anti and negative everything you do, members. When we
started out and embarked on this journey a few years ago to bring Origin back
and make sure WA was the home of the return of Origin, who criticised us,
members?Several members
interjected.Ms Rita Saffioti:The Leader of the Opposition,
members. He is the person who criticised us for the Ultimate Fighting Championship,
World Wrestling Entertainment and international football.Several members
interjected.Ms Rita Saffioti:He is against that, too. He is
against the WACA. He is against everything.Several members
interjected.Ms Rita Saffioti:Keep going. He is against
everything. This is exactly what I wanted, so thank you very much.The Speaker:Members! Minister, please just pause. Members,
I cannot hear the response to the question.Ms Rita Saffioti:Who criticised it? Of course it was
the Leader of the Opposition. Because it was a Labor proposal, he criticised
it.Mr Basil Zempilasinterjected.Ms Rita Saffioti:He said:There is no appetite for—Mr Basil Zempilasinterjected.The Speaker:Leader of the Opposition, please stop
your interjections. Stop interjecting.Ms Rita Saffioti:He is a little bit twitchy today. He
said:There is no appetite for the return of
State of Origin footy. Sorry. We all loved it. We skipped school to go. We we're
so proud when we beat the Vics. Then the Eagles and Dockers came in. Australian
Football has changed and the AFL has changed it. That ship has sailed.Hang on; this person
really does not believe in State of Origin. When I walked into the official AFL
function on Saturday, I was surprised to see who? There he was, the Leader of
the Opposition, enjoying the hospitality and enjoying State of Origin—loving
State of Origin. What also struck me was: "Hang on; you're here. Isn't there
a protest at Perth Park?" There he was. He was out there opposing Perth
Park at every media opportunity, but when push came to shove and there were a
couple of people out there protesting, where was he? He was enjoying the
air-conditioned hospitality suite at the AFL State of Origin. He left Neil
Thomson there without a hat.Point of orderMr Lachlan Hunter:I have a point of order.Several members
interjected.The Speaker:Members! Yes, be careful with this,
member for Central Wheatbelt.Mr Lachlan Hunter:I ask that you ask the Deputy
Premier to refer to members of the other place by their correct title.The Speaker:Yes, Deputy Premier, please refer to the
honourable members from the other place.Questions without notice resumedMs Rita Saffioti:Hon Neil Thomson MLC without a hat—is
that okay? There he was. Even worse, they left Hon Neil Thomson without a hat
out there in Perth Park. There he is standing next to the leader of the Greens,loving it and saying that the Greens and the Liberal
Party are working together to stop development in this state,members. What
a great combination!There you go. He
stands for nothing. Every day it is a changing story. Whatever wins and
whatever is successful, he will back. He does not care about being consistent
from one day to the next.
AFL State of Origin
6.Ms Cassie Roweto
theMinister for Sport and Recreation:
I refer to the
successful return of the AFL State of Origin over the weekend.
(1) Can the minister outline to the house how our
government is investing in major events of all types as part of its ongoing
efforts to diversify our economy?
(2) Is the minister aware of anyone who is opposed
to these investments?
Ms Rita Saffioti replied:
(1)–(2) As part of our diversification
strategy and as part of building our economy into the future, we are supporting
a lot of industries. Of course, the hospitality industry is a key industry that
we are supporting. The event strategy is all about supporting small businesses and
other businesses in this state by holding key events that attract people from
interstate and overseas. Over the weekend, we saw the successfulreturn of Origin to WA, members. It was an incredible
success. The metrics that the Minister for Tourismis always looking at
show how successful it was: 8,000 visitors from interstate, a packed Optus
Stadium and 58,000 tickets sold. From a sport and recreation angle, it is also
about building a legacy—a legacy for the people of Western Australia. As
part of the deal with the AFL, we are creating a community investment fund. The
net proceeds from that game will go to the development pathways for junior
footballers around the state, members, particularly focusing on regional
Western Australia and Indigenous players throughout the North West and
throughout regional WA. This is all about making sure that we can use the
success of these events and invest not only in the hospitality sector, but also
in the community and making sure that there is a long-lasting legacy for
community football throughout the state. This has been a key part of why we saw
the opportunity to do this deal with the AFL, of course, as a joint partnership
between the AFL, WA Football and also the state government.
But, of course, members would realise
that sometimes when you go to secure these events, people criticise you. There
are people who are anti and negative everything you do, members. When we
started out and embarked on this journey a few years ago to bring Origin back
and make sure WA was the home of the return of Origin, who criticised us,
members?
Several members
interjected.
Ms Rita Saffioti:The Leader of the Opposition,
members. He is the person who criticised us for the Ultimate Fighting Championship,
World Wrestling Entertainment and international football.
Several members
interjected.
Ms Rita Saffioti:He is against that, too. He is
against the WACA. He is against everything.
Several members
interjected.
Ms Rita Saffioti:Keep going. He is against
everything. This is exactly what I wanted, so thank you very much.
The Speaker:Members! Minister, please just pause. Members,
I cannot hear the response to the question.
Ms Rita Saffioti:Who criticised it? Of course it was
the Leader of the Opposition. Because it was a Labor proposal, he criticised
it.
Mr Basil Zempilasinterjected.
Ms Rita Saffioti:He said:
There is no appetite for—
Mr Basil Zempilasinterjected.
The Speaker:Leader of the Opposition, please stop
your interjections. Stop interjecting.
Ms Rita Saffioti:He is a little bit twitchy today. He
said:
There is no appetite for the return of
State of Origin footy. Sorry. We all loved it. We skipped school to go. We we're
so proud when we beat the Vics. Then the Eagles and Dockers came in. Australian
Football has changed and the AFL has changed it. That ship has sailed.
Hang on; this person
really does not believe in State of Origin. When I walked into the official AFL
function on Saturday, I was surprised to see who? There he was, the Leader of
the Opposition, enjoying the hospitality and enjoying State of Origin—loving
State of Origin. What also struck me was: "Hang on; you're here. Isn't there
a protest at Perth Park?" There he was. He was out there opposing Perth
Park at every media opportunity, but when push came to shove and there were a
couple of people out there protesting, where was he? He was enjoying the
air-conditioned hospitality suite at the AFL State of Origin. He left Neil
Thomson there without a hat.
Point of order
Mr Lachlan Hunter:I have a point of order.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker:Members! Yes, be careful with this,
member for Central Wheatbelt.
Mr Lachlan Hunter:I ask that you ask the Deputy
Premier to refer to members of the other place by their correct title.
The Speaker:Yes, Deputy Premier, please refer to the
honourable members from the other place.
Questions without notice resumed
Ms Rita Saffioti:Hon Neil Thomson MLC without a hat—is
that okay? There he was. Even worse, they left Hon Neil Thomson without a hat
out there in Perth Park. There he is standing next to the leader of the Greens,loving it and saying that the Greens and the Liberal
Party are working together to stop development in this state,members. What
a great combination!
There you go. He
stands for nothing. Every day it is a changing story. Whatever wins and
whatever is successful, he will back. He does not care about being consistent
from one day to the next.
strategy and as part of building our economy into the future, we are supporting
a lot of industries. Of course, the hospitality industry is a key industry that
we are supporting. The event strategy is all about supporting small businesses and
other businesses in this state by holding key events that attract people from
interstate and overseas. Over the weekend, we saw the successfulreturn of Origin to WA, members. It was an incredible
success. The metrics that the Minister for Tourismis always looking at
show how successful it was: 8,000 visitors from interstate, a packed Optus
Stadium and 58,000 tickets sold. From a sport and recreation angle, it is also
about building a legacy—a legacy for the people of Western Australia. As
part of the deal with the AFL, we are creating a community investment fund. The
net proceeds from that game will go to the development pathways for junior
footballers around the state, members, particularly focusing on regional
Western Australia and Indigenous players throughout the North West and
throughout regional WA. This is all about making sure that we can use the
success of these events and invest not only in the hospitality sector, but also
in the community and making sure that there is a long-lasting legacy for
community football throughout the state. This has been a key part of why we saw
the opportunity to do this deal with the AFL, of course, as a joint partnership
between the AFL, WA Football and also the state government.But, of course, members would realise
that sometimes when you go to secure these events, people criticise you. There
are people who are anti and negative everything you do, members. When we
started out and embarked on this journey a few years ago to bring Origin back
and make sure WA was the home of the return of Origin, who criticised us,
members?Several members
interjected.Ms Rita Saffioti:The Leader of the Opposition,
members. He is the person who criticised us for the Ultimate Fighting Championship,
World Wrestling Entertainment and international football.Several members
interjected.Ms Rita Saffioti:He is against that, too. He is
against the WACA. He is against everything.Several members
interjected.Ms Rita Saffioti:Keep going. He is against
everything. This is exactly what I wanted, so thank you very much.The Speaker:Members! Minister, please just pause. Members,
I cannot hear the response to the question.Ms Rita Saffioti:Who criticised it? Of course it was
the Leader of the Opposition. Because it was a Labor proposal, he criticised
it.Mr Basil Zempilasinterjected.Ms Rita Saffioti:He said:There is no appetite for—Mr Basil Zempilasinterjected.The Speaker:Leader of the Opposition, please stop
your interjections. Stop interjecting.Ms Rita Saffioti:He is a little bit twitchy today. He
said:There is no appetite for the return of
State of Origin footy. Sorry. We all loved it. We skipped school to go. We we're
so proud when we beat the Vics. Then the Eagles and Dockers came in. Australian
Football has changed and the AFL has changed it. That ship has sailed.Hang on; this person
really does not believe in State of Origin. When I walked into the official AFL
function on Saturday, I was surprised to see who? There he was, the Leader of
the Opposition, enjoying the hospitality and enjoying State of Origin—loving
State of Origin. What also struck me was: "Hang on; you're here. Isn't there
a protest at Perth Park?" There he was. He was out there opposing Perth
Park at every media opportunity, but when push came to shove and there were a
couple of people out there protesting, where was he? He was enjoying the
air-conditioned hospitality suite at the AFL State of Origin. He left Neil
Thomson there without a hat.Point of orderMr Lachlan Hunter:I have a point of order.Several members
interjected.The Speaker:Members! Yes, be careful with this,
member for Central Wheatbelt.Mr Lachlan Hunter:I ask that you ask the Deputy
Premier to refer to members of the other place by their correct title.The Speaker:Yes, Deputy Premier, please refer to the
honourable members from the other place.Questions without notice resumedMs Rita Saffioti:Hon Neil Thomson MLC without a hat—is
that okay? There he was. Even worse, they left Hon Neil Thomson without a hat
out there in Perth Park. There he is standing next to the leader of the Greens,loving it and saying that the Greens and the Liberal
Party are working together to stop development in this state,members. What
a great combination!There you go. He
stands for nothing. Every day it is a changing story. Whatever wins and
whatever is successful, he will back. He does not care about being consistent
from one day to the next.
AFL State of Origin
6.Ms Cassie Roweto
theMinister for Sport and Recreation:
I refer to the
successful return of the AFL State of Origin over the weekend.
(1) Can the minister outline to the house how our
government is investing in major events of all types as part of its ongoing
efforts to diversify our economy?
(2) Is the minister aware of anyone who is opposed
to these investments?
Ms Rita Saffioti replied:
(1)–(2) As part of our diversification
strategy and as part of building our economy into the future, we are supporting
a lot of industries. Of course, the hospitality industry is a key industry that
we are supporting. The event strategy is all about supporting small businesses and
other businesses in this state by holding key events that attract people from
interstate and overseas. Over the weekend, we saw the successfulreturn of Origin to WA, members. It was an incredible
success. The metrics that the Minister for Tourismis always looking at
show how successful it was: 8,000 visitors from interstate, a packed Optus
Stadium and 58,000 tickets sold. From a sport and recreation angle, it is also
about building a legacy—a legacy for the people of Western Australia. As
part of the deal with the AFL, we are creating a community investment fund. The
net proceeds from that game will go to the development pathways for junior
footballers around the state, members, particularly focusing on regional
Western Australia and Indigenous players throughout the North West and
throughout regional WA. This is all about making sure that we can use the
success of these events and invest not only in the hospitality sector, but also
in the community and making sure that there is a long-lasting legacy for
community football throughout the state. This has been a key part of why we saw
the opportunity to do this deal with the AFL, of course, as a joint partnership
between the AFL, WA Football and also the state government.
But, of course, members would realise
that sometimes when you go to secure these events, people criticise you. There
are people who are anti and negative everything you do, members. When we
started out and embarked on this journey a few years ago to bring Origin back
and make sure WA was the home of the return of Origin, who criticised us,
members?
Several members
interjected.
Ms Rita Saffioti:The Leader of the Opposition,
members. He is the person who criticised us for the Ultimate Fighting Championship,
World Wrestling Entertainment and international football.
Several members
interjected.
Ms Rita Saffioti:He is against that, too. He is
against the WACA. He is against everything.
Several members
interjected.
Ms Rita Saffioti:Keep going. He is against
everything. This is exactly what I wanted, so thank you very much.
The Speaker:Members! Minister, please just pause. Members,
I cannot hear the response to the question.
Ms Rita Saffioti:Who criticised it? Of course it was
the Leader of the Opposition. Because it was a Labor proposal, he criticised
it.
Mr Basil Zempilasinterjected.
Ms Rita Saffioti:He said:
There is no appetite for—
Mr Basil Zempilasinterjected.
The Speaker:Leader of the Opposition, please stop
your interjections. Stop interjecting.
Ms Rita Saffioti:He is a little bit twitchy today. He
said:
There is no appetite for the return of
State of Origin footy. Sorry. We all loved it. We skipped school to go. We we're
so proud when we beat the Vics. Then the Eagles and Dockers came in. Australian
Football has changed and the AFL has changed it. That ship has sailed.
Hang on; this person
really does not believe in State of Origin. When I walked into the official AFL
function on Saturday, I was surprised to see who? There he was, the Leader of
the Opposition, enjoying the hospitality and enjoying State of Origin—loving
State of Origin. What also struck me was: "Hang on; you're here. Isn't there
a protest at Perth Park?" There he was. He was out there opposing Perth
Park at every media opportunity, but when push came to shove and there were a
couple of people out there protesting, where was he? He was enjoying the
air-conditioned hospitality suite at the AFL State of Origin. He left Neil
Thomson there without a hat.
Point of order
Mr Lachlan Hunter:I have a point of order.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker:Members! Yes, be careful with this,
member for Central Wheatbelt.
Mr Lachlan Hunter:I ask that you ask the Deputy
Premier to refer to members of the other place by their correct title.
The Speaker:Yes, Deputy Premier, please refer to the
honourable members from the other place.
Questions without notice resumed
Ms Rita Saffioti:Hon Neil Thomson MLC without a hat—is
that okay? There he was. Even worse, they left Hon Neil Thomson without a hat
out there in Perth Park. There he is standing next to the leader of the Greens,loving it and saying that the Greens and the Liberal
Party are working together to stop development in this state,members. What
a great combination!
There you go. He
stands for nothing. Every day it is a changing story. Whatever wins and
whatever is successful, he will back. He does not care about being consistent
from one day to the next.
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