❓ Mrs. Maynard questions the Minister for Sport and Recreation on the government's commitment to diversifying the WA economy through securing major sporting events, specifically the return of State of Origin football. The Minister's response focuses on the economic benefits and includes a partisan attack on the opposition.
AnsweredQoN 458Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
State of Origin football
458. Mrs Michelle Maynard to the Minister for Sport and Recreation:
I refer the minister
to the Cook Labor government's commitment to diversifying the Western
Australian economy.
(1) Can the minister advise the house how the
government is building on that commitment by securing major sporting events?
(2) Can the minister also update the house on any
recent announcements?
458. Mrs Michelle Maynard to the Minister for Sport and Recreation:
I refer the minister
to the Cook Labor government's commitment to diversifying the Western
Australian economy.
(1) Can the minister advise the house how the
government is building on that commitment by securing major sporting events?
(2) Can the minister also update the house on any
recent announcements?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) On Monday, I joined the Premier
and the Minister for Tourism to announce that Australian Football League State of
Origin is coming back! As we know, during the 1980s and 1990s, a State of
Origin match at Subiaco Oval was the biggest thing in town. Many of my vintage
took the day off school to go and watch the State of Origin. It then moved to
the Western Australian Cricket Association ground under lights. We know that basically
all Western Australians got behind their team. As part of our strategy to
continue to diversify the economy and to grow, in particular, sports-based
tourism, we were very keen to work with the AFL to secure the Western Australia
versus Victoria match at Optus Stadium. It will be an incredible event on 14 February.
As I said, during the 80s and 90s, Western Australians got behind those players
who were still in WA and those who came back from teams over east. We are ready
to do that again. As I said at the press conference, one of the real issues is
that many of us do not know how many Western Australians are actually playing over
there because they go straight into the draft from, in many instances, the
Colts Reserves or even the school-based system. Western Australians will be
able to be proud of the many Western Australians who are playing over east. As
I said, this will be a big event in February as we host Victoria versus Western
Australia, with tickets going on sale in November.
I assume the Liberal Party
opposes this project. Do the Nationals WA support it? Hey! In the opposition,
the Nationals support it. Of course, the Leader of the Opposition and the
Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party do this fake talking now. They do not engage
because they are too afraid. They wanted to interject all the time, but look at
them now—the fake discussion to try to avoid—
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
Ms Rita Saffioti: Does the Leader of the Opposition support
it now?
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition, there is a
point of order.
Point of order
Mr Liam Staltari: It was established last week that
questions and commentary are to be directed through the Chair. That was advised
to the Treasurer and she continues not to uphold it, despite your ruling last
week.
The Speaker: Thank you, member for Carine. Yes, I will
uphold that point of order. Minister, please direct your comments through the
Chair.
Questions without notice resumed
Ms Rita Saffioti: The Leader of the Opposition and the
Deputy—
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition!
Ms Rita Saffioti: I take it that the commentator
supports this now. He is off mute, which is great. Mr Speaker, I assume that
means that the Leader of the Opposition supports State of Origin.
Mr Basil Zempilas: I think Fyfe should play.
What about if he comes back and plays?
Ms Rita Saffioti: I assume the Leader of the
Opposition supports it now.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
If you want to have a conversation amongst yourselves—
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition, once again, you
do not talk when I am talking. If you want to have a conversation with someone
else in the chamber, you are more than welcome to do it outside.
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition, I am calling you
for the first time.
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition, I am going to
call you for the second time.
Ms Rita Saffioti: I take it, Mr Speaker, that the
Leader of the Opposition has once again changed his tune on something. Members might
be surprised that "Both Ways Baz" has again gone both ways on this
issue!
Withdrawal of remark
Mr Liam Staltari: Members are to refer to other
members by their official title.
The Speaker: Yes.
Ms Rita Saffioti: I accept that.
The Speaker: Yes. Please withdraw and refer to the
Leader of the Opposition correctly.
Ms Rita Saffioti: Sorry; I withdraw.
Questions without notice resumed
Ms Rita Saffioti: We know that the Leader of the
Opposition changes his tune depending on the day of the week and who he is
talking to. Now, given that he wants to be the selector, I assume that he would
like to see State of Origin back in WA. I accept that as a yes. But let us go
to what the Leader of the Opposition said just a few years back, when the then
Premier, Mark McGowan, reignited the State of Origin debate. The then Lord
Mayor said:
There is no appetite for the return of
State of Origin footy. Sorry. We all loved it. We skipped school to go.
Well, I did in
particular. He continued:
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.
We are very proud
that we have always wanted to have State of Origin back. It will be a great
game. It is again a time for Western Australians to be proud of the incredible
football talent that we have produced in this state.
and the Minister for Tourism to announce that Australian Football League State of
Origin is coming back! As we know, during the 1980s and 1990s, a State of
Origin match at Subiaco Oval was the biggest thing in town. Many of my vintage
took the day off school to go and watch the State of Origin. It then moved to
the Western Australian Cricket Association ground under lights. We know that basically
all Western Australians got behind their team. As part of our strategy to
continue to diversify the economy and to grow, in particular, sports-based
tourism, we were very keen to work with the AFL to secure the Western Australia
versus Victoria match at Optus Stadium. It will be an incredible event on 14 February.
As I said, during the 80s and 90s, Western Australians got behind those players
who were still in WA and those who came back from teams over east. We are ready
to do that again. As I said at the press conference, one of the real issues is
that many of us do not know how many Western Australians are actually playing over
there because they go straight into the draft from, in many instances, the
Colts Reserves or even the school-based system. Western Australians will be
able to be proud of the many Western Australians who are playing over east. As
I said, this will be a big event in February as we host Victoria versus Western
Australia, with tickets going on sale in November.
I assume the Liberal Party
opposes this project. Do the Nationals WA support it? Hey! In the opposition,
the Nationals support it. Of course, the Leader of the Opposition and the
Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party do this fake talking now. They do not engage
because they are too afraid. They wanted to interject all the time, but look at
them now—the fake discussion to try to avoid—
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
Ms Rita Saffioti: Does the Leader of the Opposition support
it now?
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition, there is a
point of order.
Point of order
Mr Liam Staltari: It was established last week that
questions and commentary are to be directed through the Chair. That was advised
to the Treasurer and she continues not to uphold it, despite your ruling last
week.
The Speaker: Thank you, member for Carine. Yes, I will
uphold that point of order. Minister, please direct your comments through the
Chair.
Questions without notice resumed
Ms Rita Saffioti: The Leader of the Opposition and the
Deputy—
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition!
Ms Rita Saffioti: I take it that the commentator
supports this now. He is off mute, which is great. Mr Speaker, I assume that
means that the Leader of the Opposition supports State of Origin.
Mr Basil Zempilas: I think Fyfe should play.
What about if he comes back and plays?
Ms Rita Saffioti: I assume the Leader of the
Opposition supports it now.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
If you want to have a conversation amongst yourselves—
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition, once again, you
do not talk when I am talking. If you want to have a conversation with someone
else in the chamber, you are more than welcome to do it outside.
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition, I am calling you
for the first time.
Mr Basil Zempilas interjected.
The Speaker: Leader of the Opposition, I am going to
call you for the second time.
Ms Rita Saffioti: I take it, Mr Speaker, that the
Leader of the Opposition has once again changed his tune on something. Members might
be surprised that "Both Ways Baz" has again gone both ways on this
issue!
Withdrawal of remark
Mr Liam Staltari: Members are to refer to other
members by their official title.
The Speaker: Yes.
Ms Rita Saffioti: I accept that.
The Speaker: Yes. Please withdraw and refer to the
Leader of the Opposition correctly.
Ms Rita Saffioti: Sorry; I withdraw.
Questions without notice resumed
Ms Rita Saffioti: We know that the Leader of the
Opposition changes his tune depending on the day of the week and who he is
talking to. Now, given that he wants to be the selector, I assume that he would
like to see State of Origin back in WA. I accept that as a yes. But let us go
to what the Leader of the Opposition said just a few years back, when the then
Premier, Mark McGowan, reignited the State of Origin debate. The then Lord
Mayor said:
There is no appetite for the return of
State of Origin footy. Sorry. We all loved it. We skipped school to go.
Well, I did in
particular. He continued:
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.
We are very proud
that we have always wanted to have State of Origin back. It will be a great
game. It is again a time for Western Australians to be proud of the incredible
football talent that we have produced in this state.
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.