❓ WA Shadow Minister Neil Thomson questions the cost and purpose of the new WA 'embassy' in Canberra. The Premier's response details costs, attendees, staffing, usage, and budget.
AnsweredQoN 272Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WA CANBERRA STRATEGY
272. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I refer to the recent opening of the
so-called Western Australian embassy in Canberra.
(1) How much did the opening event of the embassy cost
in catering, alcohol, welcome to country and promotion?
(2) Who travelled in an official
capacity from WA to attend the opening?
(3) Did any
federal members of Parliament, other than Western Australian members, attend
the embassy opening; and, if so, which members of Parliament attended?
(4) How many full-time staff are based at the embassy?
(5) For (4), what are their roles?
(6) Since opening
the embassy, how many in-person meetings have been held on the premises in an
official capacity?
(7) What is the annual budget of the
embassy?
272. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier:
I refer to the recent opening of the
so-called Western Australian embassy in Canberra.
(1) How much did the opening event of the embassy cost
in catering, alcohol, welcome to country and promotion?
(2) Who travelled in an official
capacity from WA to attend the opening?
(3) Did any
federal members of Parliament, other than Western Australian members, attend
the embassy opening; and, if so, which members of Parliament attended?
(4) How many full-time staff are based at the embassy?
(5) For (4), what are their roles?
(6) Since opening
the embassy, how many in-person meetings have been held on the premises in an
official capacity?
(7) What is the annual budget of the
embassy?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The Western Australian
Canberra hub was opened to expand the opportunities for in�person engagement and collaboration between our state, the
Australian government and other interstate counterparts. The total cost
for the opening event of the hub was $6 000, including catering, audiovisual
equipment and other costs associated with formalities.
(2) The Premier
and Ministers Whitby, Michael and Beazley, as well as the director general and
a deputy director general of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, were in
Canberra for various meetings and attended the opening of the hub.
(3) No.
(4)–(5) One full-time
receptionist/administrative assistant is based at the hub.
(6) A number of
representatives from various groups have utilised the hub, in addition to
Minister Whitby, who used the hub for a recent
formal meeting. The department will provide a summary of the hub's
activity in its 2023–24 annual report.
(7) In 2024–25, $200 000 has
been allocated for operating costs.
some notice of the question.
(1) The Western Australian
Canberra hub was opened to expand the opportunities for in�person engagement and collaboration between our state, the
Australian government and other interstate counterparts. The total cost
for the opening event of the hub was $6 000, including catering, audiovisual
equipment and other costs associated with formalities.
(2) The Premier
and Ministers Whitby, Michael and Beazley, as well as the director general and
a deputy director general of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, were in
Canberra for various meetings and attended the opening of the hub.
(3) No.
(4)–(5) One full-time
receptionist/administrative assistant is based at the hub.
(6) A number of
representatives from various groups have utilised the hub, in addition to
Minister Whitby, who used the hub for a recent
formal meeting. The department will provide a summary of the hub's
activity in its 2023–24 annual report.
(7) In 2024–25, $200 000 has
been allocated for operating costs.
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