❓ Ms Guise asks about the importance of Qantas reversing its decision to re-route Perth-Tokyo flights. The Minister highlights the vital role of Japanese tourism to WA's economy and the government's collaborative efforts with Qantas to maintain direct flights.
AnsweredQoN 220Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
QANTAS, DIRECT PERTH-TOKYO FLIGHTS
I congratulate the minister and the Premier on their recent victory in persuading Qantas to reverse its damaging decision to re-route its three direct Perth-Tokyo flights. Can the minister tell the House why it was so vital to the State’s wellbeing that that decision be reversed? Mr Barnett interjected. Mr BROWN
I congratulate the minister and the Premier on their recent victory in persuading Qantas to reverse its damaging decision to re-route its three direct Perth-Tokyo flights. Can the minister tell the House why it was so vital to the State’s wellbeing that that decision be reversed? Mr Barnett interjected. Mr BROWN
AnswerView source ↗
That interjection by the Leader of the Opposition would be of interest to the tourism industry, because that industry was vitally concerned about the Qantas decision to cancel its three direct flights between Perth and Tokyo. The issue is not so much how the member for Wanneroo read out the question but the fact that this decision was made and was of great concern to that industry. Shortly after that decision was made, I had the opportunity to meet with Qantas senior management in Melbourne and with one of its executive managers, Mr John Borghetti. At that meeting I prevailed upon him - and he is a good person - to have a senior management team visit Perth. That senior management team arrived in Western Australia the following week and met with the Premier, the industry and the Western Australian Tourism Commission. To its credit, a week or two after Qantas had made its first decision, it made the difficult decision to reverse that decision and continue with direct flights between Perth and Tokyo. That was a significant decision for Western Australia, because the number of Japanese tourists to this State has been increasing, and the industry is keen for that to continue. We are aware of the load factors on the flights that are made available, and both the industry in Western Australia and Qantas want to ensure that those load factors increase, which will be of benefit to all parties. We have, therefore, agreed to work with Qantas in Japan in a partnership arrangement in which the State will provide additional resources to increase those load factors. It is a significant issue that on this occasion, industry and government were united around a single focus and there was no disagreement. Last night, I attended the Australian Tourism Exchange, which is a significant event in the industry, and a number of the operators at that event raised that issue with me and said they were extremely pleased with the outcome. I know this is all very boring for the Opposition. I thought it would have taken a bit more interest in this matter. However, we will convey its disinterest - Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: I am sure the industry will be delighted to know the enthusiasm with which the Opposition treats the industry. Notwithstanding the mean-spirited position of the Opposition, and as much as the Opposition does not like it, the Government will continue its hard work with the industry and will continue to be successful, and the Opposition will hate every minute of it.
Mr Barnett interjected. Mr BROWN replied: That interjection by the Leader of the Opposition would be of interest to the tourism industry, because that industry was vitally concerned about the Qantas decision to cancel its three direct flights between Perth and Tokyo. The issue is not so much how the member for Wanneroo read out the question but the fact that this decision was made and was of great concern to that industry. Shortly after that decision was made, I had the opportunity to meet with Qantas senior management in Melbourne and with one of its executive managers, Mr John Borghetti. At that meeting I prevailed upon him - and he is a good person - to have a senior management team visit Perth. That senior management team arrived in Western Australia the following week and met with the Premier, the industry and the Western Australian Tourism Commission. To its credit, a week or two after Qantas had made its first decision, it made the difficult decision to reverse that decision and continue with direct flights between Perth and Tokyo. That was a significant decision for Western Australia, because the number of Japanese tourists to this State has been increasing, and the industry is keen for that to continue. We are aware of the load factors on the flights that are made available, and both the industry in Western Australia and Qantas want to ensure that those load factors increase, which will be of benefit to all parties. We have, therefore, agreed to work with Qantas in Japan in a partnership arrangement in which the State will provide additional resources to increase those load factors. It is a significant issue that on this occasion, industry and government were united around a single focus and there was no disagreement. Last night, I attended the Australian Tourism Exchange, which is a significant event in the industry, and a number of the operators at that event raised that issue with me and said they were extremely pleased with the outcome. I know this is all very boring for the Opposition. I thought it would have taken a bit more interest in this matter. However, we will convey its disinterest - Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: I am sure the industry will be delighted to know the enthusiasm with which the Opposition treats the industry. Notwithstanding the mean-spirited position of the Opposition, and as much as the Opposition does not like it, the Government will continue its hard work with the industry and will continue to be successful, and the Opposition will hate every minute of it.
Mr BROWN replied: That interjection by the Leader of the Opposition would be of interest to the tourism industry, because that industry was vitally concerned about the Qantas decision to cancel its three direct flights between Perth and Tokyo. The issue is not so much how the member for Wanneroo read out the question but the fact that this decision was made and was of great concern to that industry. Shortly after that decision was made, I had the opportunity to meet with Qantas senior management in Melbourne and with one of its executive managers, Mr John Borghetti. At that meeting I prevailed upon him - and he is a good person - to have a senior management team visit Perth. That senior management team arrived in Western Australia the following week and met with the Premier, the industry and the Western Australian Tourism Commission. To its credit, a week or two after Qantas had made its first decision, it made the difficult decision to reverse that decision and continue with direct flights between Perth and Tokyo. That was a significant decision for Western Australia, because the number of Japanese tourists to this State has been increasing, and the industry is keen for that to continue. We are aware of the load factors on the flights that are made available, and both the industry in Western Australia and Qantas want to ensure that those load factors increase, which will be of benefit to all parties. We have, therefore, agreed to work with Qantas in Japan in a partnership arrangement in which the State will provide additional resources to increase those load factors. It is a significant issue that on this occasion, industry and government were united around a single focus and there was no disagreement. Last night, I attended the Australian Tourism Exchange, which is a significant event in the industry, and a number of the operators at that event raised that issue with me and said they were extremely pleased with the outcome. I know this is all very boring for the Opposition. I thought it would have taken a bit more interest in this matter. However, we will convey its disinterest - Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: I am sure the industry will be delighted to know the enthusiasm with which the Opposition treats the industry. Notwithstanding the mean-spirited position of the Opposition, and as much as the Opposition does not like it, the Government will continue its hard work with the industry and will continue to be successful, and the Opposition will hate every minute of it.
That interjection by the Leader of the Opposition would be of interest to the tourism industry, because that industry was vitally concerned about the Qantas decision to cancel its three direct flights between Perth and Tokyo. The issue is not so much how the member for Wanneroo read out the question but the fact that this decision was made and was of great concern to that industry. Shortly after that decision was made, I had the opportunity to meet with Qantas senior management in Melbourne and with one of its executive managers, Mr John Borghetti. At that meeting I prevailed upon him - and he is a good person - to have a senior management team visit Perth. That senior management team arrived in Western Australia the following week and met with the Premier, the industry and the Western Australian Tourism Commission. To its credit, a week or two after Qantas had made its first decision, it made the difficult decision to reverse that decision and continue with direct flights between Perth and Tokyo. That was a significant decision for Western Australia, because the number of Japanese tourists to this State has been increasing, and the industry is keen for that to continue. We are aware of the load factors on the flights that are made available, and both the industry in Western Australia and Qantas want to ensure that those load factors increase, which will be of benefit to all parties. We have, therefore, agreed to work with Qantas in Japan in a partnership arrangement in which the State will provide additional resources to increase those load factors. It is a significant issue that on this occasion, industry and government were united around a single focus and there was no disagreement. Last night, I attended the Australian Tourism Exchange, which is a significant event in the industry, and a number of the operators at that event raised that issue with me and said they were extremely pleased with the outcome. I know this is all very boring for the Opposition. I thought it would have taken a bit more interest in this matter. However, we will convey its disinterest - Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: I am sure the industry will be delighted to know the enthusiasm with which the Opposition treats the industry. Notwithstanding the mean-spirited position of the Opposition, and as much as the Opposition does not like it, the Government will continue its hard work with the industry and will continue to be successful, and the Opposition will hate every minute of it.
That was a significant decision for Western Australia, because the number of Japanese tourists to this State has been increasing, and the industry is keen for that to continue. We are aware of the load factors on the flights that are made available, and both the industry in Western Australia and Qantas want to ensure that those load factors increase, which will be of benefit to all parties. We have, therefore, agreed to work with Qantas in Japan in a partnership arrangement in which the State will provide additional resources to increase those load factors. It is a significant issue that on this occasion, industry and government were united around a single focus and there was no disagreement. Last night, I attended the Australian Tourism Exchange, which is a significant event in the industry, and a number of the operators at that event raised that issue with me and said they were extremely pleased with the outcome. I know this is all very boring for the Opposition. I thought it would have taken a bit more interest in this matter. However, we will convey its disinterest - Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: I am sure the industry will be delighted to know the enthusiasm with which the Opposition treats the industry. Notwithstanding the mean-spirited position of the Opposition, and as much as the Opposition does not like it, the Government will continue its hard work with the industry and will continue to be successful, and the Opposition will hate every minute of it.
Last night, I attended the Australian Tourism Exchange, which is a significant event in the industry, and a number of the operators at that event raised that issue with me and said they were extremely pleased with the outcome. I know this is all very boring for the Opposition. I thought it would have taken a bit more interest in this matter. However, we will convey its disinterest - Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: I am sure the industry will be delighted to know the enthusiasm with which the Opposition treats the industry. Notwithstanding the mean-spirited position of the Opposition, and as much as the Opposition does not like it, the Government will continue its hard work with the industry and will continue to be successful, and the Opposition will hate every minute of it.
Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: I am sure the industry will be delighted to know the enthusiasm with which the Opposition treats the industry. Notwithstanding the mean-spirited position of the Opposition, and as much as the Opposition does not like it, the Government will continue its hard work with the industry and will continue to be successful, and the Opposition will hate every minute of it.
Dr GALLOP: I am sure the industry will be delighted to know the enthusiasm with which the Opposition treats the industry. Notwithstanding the mean-spirited position of the Opposition, and as much as the Opposition does not like it, the Government will continue its hard work with the industry and will continue to be successful, and the Opposition will hate every minute of it.
Mr Barnett interjected. Mr BROWN replied: That interjection by the Leader of the Opposition would be of interest to the tourism industry, because that industry was vitally concerned about the Qantas decision to cancel its three direct flights between Perth and Tokyo. The issue is not so much how the member for Wanneroo read out the question but the fact that this decision was made and was of great concern to that industry. Shortly after that decision was made, I had the opportunity to meet with Qantas senior management in Melbourne and with one of its executive managers, Mr John Borghetti. At that meeting I prevailed upon him - and he is a good person - to have a senior management team visit Perth. That senior management team arrived in Western Australia the following week and met with the Premier, the industry and the Western Australian Tourism Commission. To its credit, a week or two after Qantas had made its first decision, it made the difficult decision to reverse that decision and continue with direct flights between Perth and Tokyo. That was a significant decision for Western Australia, because the number of Japanese tourists to this State has been increasing, and the industry is keen for that to continue. We are aware of the load factors on the flights that are made available, and both the industry in Western Australia and Qantas want to ensure that those load factors increase, which will be of benefit to all parties. We have, therefore, agreed to work with Qantas in Japan in a partnership arrangement in which the State will provide additional resources to increase those load factors. It is a significant issue that on this occasion, industry and government were united around a single focus and there was no disagreement. Last night, I attended the Australian Tourism Exchange, which is a significant event in the industry, and a number of the operators at that event raised that issue with me and said they were extremely pleased with the outcome. I know this is all very boring for the Opposition. I thought it would have taken a bit more interest in this matter. However, we will convey its disinterest - Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: I am sure the industry will be delighted to know the enthusiasm with which the Opposition treats the industry. Notwithstanding the mean-spirited position of the Opposition, and as much as the Opposition does not like it, the Government will continue its hard work with the industry and will continue to be successful, and the Opposition will hate every minute of it.
Mr BROWN replied: That interjection by the Leader of the Opposition would be of interest to the tourism industry, because that industry was vitally concerned about the Qantas decision to cancel its three direct flights between Perth and Tokyo. The issue is not so much how the member for Wanneroo read out the question but the fact that this decision was made and was of great concern to that industry. Shortly after that decision was made, I had the opportunity to meet with Qantas senior management in Melbourne and with one of its executive managers, Mr John Borghetti. At that meeting I prevailed upon him - and he is a good person - to have a senior management team visit Perth. That senior management team arrived in Western Australia the following week and met with the Premier, the industry and the Western Australian Tourism Commission. To its credit, a week or two after Qantas had made its first decision, it made the difficult decision to reverse that decision and continue with direct flights between Perth and Tokyo. That was a significant decision for Western Australia, because the number of Japanese tourists to this State has been increasing, and the industry is keen for that to continue. We are aware of the load factors on the flights that are made available, and both the industry in Western Australia and Qantas want to ensure that those load factors increase, which will be of benefit to all parties. We have, therefore, agreed to work with Qantas in Japan in a partnership arrangement in which the State will provide additional resources to increase those load factors. It is a significant issue that on this occasion, industry and government were united around a single focus and there was no disagreement. Last night, I attended the Australian Tourism Exchange, which is a significant event in the industry, and a number of the operators at that event raised that issue with me and said they were extremely pleased with the outcome. I know this is all very boring for the Opposition. I thought it would have taken a bit more interest in this matter. However, we will convey its disinterest - Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: I am sure the industry will be delighted to know the enthusiasm with which the Opposition treats the industry. Notwithstanding the mean-spirited position of the Opposition, and as much as the Opposition does not like it, the Government will continue its hard work with the industry and will continue to be successful, and the Opposition will hate every minute of it.
That interjection by the Leader of the Opposition would be of interest to the tourism industry, because that industry was vitally concerned about the Qantas decision to cancel its three direct flights between Perth and Tokyo. The issue is not so much how the member for Wanneroo read out the question but the fact that this decision was made and was of great concern to that industry. Shortly after that decision was made, I had the opportunity to meet with Qantas senior management in Melbourne and with one of its executive managers, Mr John Borghetti. At that meeting I prevailed upon him - and he is a good person - to have a senior management team visit Perth. That senior management team arrived in Western Australia the following week and met with the Premier, the industry and the Western Australian Tourism Commission. To its credit, a week or two after Qantas had made its first decision, it made the difficult decision to reverse that decision and continue with direct flights between Perth and Tokyo. That was a significant decision for Western Australia, because the number of Japanese tourists to this State has been increasing, and the industry is keen for that to continue. We are aware of the load factors on the flights that are made available, and both the industry in Western Australia and Qantas want to ensure that those load factors increase, which will be of benefit to all parties. We have, therefore, agreed to work with Qantas in Japan in a partnership arrangement in which the State will provide additional resources to increase those load factors. It is a significant issue that on this occasion, industry and government were united around a single focus and there was no disagreement. Last night, I attended the Australian Tourism Exchange, which is a significant event in the industry, and a number of the operators at that event raised that issue with me and said they were extremely pleased with the outcome. I know this is all very boring for the Opposition. I thought it would have taken a bit more interest in this matter. However, we will convey its disinterest - Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: I am sure the industry will be delighted to know the enthusiasm with which the Opposition treats the industry. Notwithstanding the mean-spirited position of the Opposition, and as much as the Opposition does not like it, the Government will continue its hard work with the industry and will continue to be successful, and the Opposition will hate every minute of it.
That was a significant decision for Western Australia, because the number of Japanese tourists to this State has been increasing, and the industry is keen for that to continue. We are aware of the load factors on the flights that are made available, and both the industry in Western Australia and Qantas want to ensure that those load factors increase, which will be of benefit to all parties. We have, therefore, agreed to work with Qantas in Japan in a partnership arrangement in which the State will provide additional resources to increase those load factors. It is a significant issue that on this occasion, industry and government were united around a single focus and there was no disagreement. Last night, I attended the Australian Tourism Exchange, which is a significant event in the industry, and a number of the operators at that event raised that issue with me and said they were extremely pleased with the outcome. I know this is all very boring for the Opposition. I thought it would have taken a bit more interest in this matter. However, we will convey its disinterest - Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: I am sure the industry will be delighted to know the enthusiasm with which the Opposition treats the industry. Notwithstanding the mean-spirited position of the Opposition, and as much as the Opposition does not like it, the Government will continue its hard work with the industry and will continue to be successful, and the Opposition will hate every minute of it.
Last night, I attended the Australian Tourism Exchange, which is a significant event in the industry, and a number of the operators at that event raised that issue with me and said they were extremely pleased with the outcome. I know this is all very boring for the Opposition. I thought it would have taken a bit more interest in this matter. However, we will convey its disinterest - Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: I am sure the industry will be delighted to know the enthusiasm with which the Opposition treats the industry. Notwithstanding the mean-spirited position of the Opposition, and as much as the Opposition does not like it, the Government will continue its hard work with the industry and will continue to be successful, and the Opposition will hate every minute of it.
Several members interjected. Dr GALLOP: I am sure the industry will be delighted to know the enthusiasm with which the Opposition treats the industry. Notwithstanding the mean-spirited position of the Opposition, and as much as the Opposition does not like it, the Government will continue its hard work with the industry and will continue to be successful, and the Opposition will hate every minute of it.
Dr GALLOP: I am sure the industry will be delighted to know the enthusiasm with which the Opposition treats the industry. Notwithstanding the mean-spirited position of the Opposition, and as much as the Opposition does not like it, the Government will continue its hard work with the industry and will continue to be successful, and the Opposition will hate every minute of it.
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