❓ Mr Bull asks the Premier about the Cook Labor government's commitment to diversifying the WA economy through major events and their impact on hospitality and tourism. The Premier responds positively, highlighting numerous events and strong hotel occupancy rates.
AnsweredQoN 668Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
State economy—Diversification—Tourism
668. Mr Dan Bull to the Premier:
I refer to the Cook
Labor government's commitment to diversifying the Western Australian economy so
that it remains the strongest in the nation.
(1) Can the Premier update the house on how this
commitment is resulting in major events being held right across Western
Australia?
(2) Can the Premier please advise what these
events mean for the WA hospitality and tourism sectors?
668. Mr Dan Bull to the Premier:
I refer to the Cook
Labor government's commitment to diversifying the Western Australian economy so
that it remains the strongest in the nation.
(1) Can the Premier update the house on how this
commitment is resulting in major events being held right across Western
Australia?
(2) Can the Premier please advise what these
events mean for the WA hospitality and tourism sectors?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) We are barely a month away from
Christmas Day, and, just like me, I am sure that all members of Parliament have
already completed their Christmas shopping! We will just let that sink in for a
moment. It is not always obvious sitting in this chamber that Christmas is well
and truly on the way. Decorations are being dusted off, end-of-year functions
are filling the calendar, and tomorrow Perth will open the most hyped Ashes
series in recent history with a blockbuster game at Optus Stadium. Our WA Day
Festival will also be taking place over on Burswood peninsula, coinciding with
the cricket at the stadium. Thousands of Western Australians and thousands of
visitors will celebrate the best of this great state.
Although this weekend's events
are the unofficial starting gun for a WA festive season, it is safe to say that
it has been a pretty festive 2025. Once again, we have attracted major events
to fill the calendar: Bledisloe Cup, the British Lions, the NRL State of Origin,
AC Milan and the Italian Football Festival, World Wrestling Entertainment, the Ultimate
Fighting Championship, not to mention the major conventions we have hosted
throughout the year. In fact, last financial year, through Tourism WA, we
contracted and delivered 117 events across the state, with 24 major events as
part of that. These events generated event attendance in the millions and media
reach in the billions. These major events are not only putting WA on the map, but
also growing and diversifying our economy. They are giving our hospitality
sector confidence to invest.
Just like cricket, the stats do
not lie! In last month's hotel occupancy data, Western Australia's average,
once again, led the nation. Our hotels were on average 89.9% full during
October. That figure has regularly eclipsed 90% during major events during the
year. Above 90% is Bradman-esque, Mr Speaker! We can compare that with the
figures in Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane, all of which are averaging in the
70s.
We have a big summer ahead of us
with Perth Festival, Fringe Festival, the Sail Grand Prix in Fremantle, dozens
of concerts, the United Cup and the return of the AFL State of Origin—all
of them bringing vibrancy, visitors and cash to propel our local economy. In
coming days, I predict that we will see a flood of Poms filling our pubs to
drown their sorrows, which is to say, when the Barmy Army sobs, WA creates
jobs. That was dreadful; sorry about that!
Visitors
The Speaker: Thank you, Premier. Before I give the
call to the member for Roe, on behalf of the member for Rockingham, I
acknowledge and welcome the students and staff from East Waikiki Primary School
in the public gallery today. Welcome.
Christmas Day, and, just like me, I am sure that all members of Parliament have
already completed their Christmas shopping! We will just let that sink in for a
moment. It is not always obvious sitting in this chamber that Christmas is well
and truly on the way. Decorations are being dusted off, end-of-year functions
are filling the calendar, and tomorrow Perth will open the most hyped Ashes
series in recent history with a blockbuster game at Optus Stadium. Our WA Day
Festival will also be taking place over on Burswood peninsula, coinciding with
the cricket at the stadium. Thousands of Western Australians and thousands of
visitors will celebrate the best of this great state.
Although this weekend's events
are the unofficial starting gun for a WA festive season, it is safe to say that
it has been a pretty festive 2025. Once again, we have attracted major events
to fill the calendar: Bledisloe Cup, the British Lions, the NRL State of Origin,
AC Milan and the Italian Football Festival, World Wrestling Entertainment, the Ultimate
Fighting Championship, not to mention the major conventions we have hosted
throughout the year. In fact, last financial year, through Tourism WA, we
contracted and delivered 117 events across the state, with 24 major events as
part of that. These events generated event attendance in the millions and media
reach in the billions. These major events are not only putting WA on the map, but
also growing and diversifying our economy. They are giving our hospitality
sector confidence to invest.
Just like cricket, the stats do
not lie! In last month's hotel occupancy data, Western Australia's average,
once again, led the nation. Our hotels were on average 89.9% full during
October. That figure has regularly eclipsed 90% during major events during the
year. Above 90% is Bradman-esque, Mr Speaker! We can compare that with the
figures in Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane, all of which are averaging in the
70s.
We have a big summer ahead of us
with Perth Festival, Fringe Festival, the Sail Grand Prix in Fremantle, dozens
of concerts, the United Cup and the return of the AFL State of Origin—all
of them bringing vibrancy, visitors and cash to propel our local economy. In
coming days, I predict that we will see a flood of Poms filling our pubs to
drown their sorrows, which is to say, when the Barmy Army sobs, WA creates
jobs. That was dreadful; sorry about that!
Visitors
The Speaker: Thank you, Premier. Before I give the
call to the member for Roe, on behalf of the member for Rockingham, I
acknowledge and welcome the students and staff from East Waikiki Primary School
in the public gallery today. Welcome.
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