❓ Question on Notice regarding the WA government's support for the tourism industry and its impact on job creation and small business opportunities. The Minister's answer highlights various events and initiatives aimed at boosting tourism and economic diversification.
AnsweredQoN 371Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
TOURISM INDUSTRY SUPPORT
371. Mr S.N. AUBREY to the Minister for Tourism:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
commitment to a strong, diversified economy, including through growing our
tourism market.
(1) Can the
minister advise the house how this government's support for the growth
of WA's tourism industry is supporting more local jobs and creating
more opportunities for small business?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house whether there are any other Western Australians who
will benefit from this government's strong support for tourism?
371. Mr S.N. AUBREY to the Minister for Tourism:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
commitment to a strong, diversified economy, including through growing our
tourism market.
(1) Can the
minister advise the house how this government's support for the growth
of WA's tourism industry is supporting more local jobs and creating
more opportunities for small business?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house whether there are any other Western Australians who
will benefit from this government's strong support for tourism?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
member for the question.
(1)–(2) Tourism is a key part of our economic
diversification strategy. Under the leadership of the former Minister for Tourism, the current Premier, and, of course,
the former former Minister for Tourism, the member for Mandurah —
Mr D.A. Templeman : For nine
months!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : At a time
when no-one visited the state, members—just remember that! The worst
Minister for Tourism ever!
Mr D.A. Templeman : Stop
reminding me!
Ms
R. SAFFIOTI : Tourism is now part
of our economic diversification strategy, and we have seen a number of incredible
events throughout Western Australia. Last night, we saw the Socceroos play at
HBF Park, winning the game 5–0, as
part of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. A couple of weeks ago, we saw thousands
of people travel to Western Australia to see two Serie A teams, AS Roma
and AC Milan, play in what was an absolutely spectacular evening.
We have also seen the launch of
Camping with Custodians at Lombadina, member for Kimberley, and further
in-reach for Aboriginal tourism and Aboriginal experiences in regional WA. For
lovers of basketball—of which there are many both in this house and
across the state—we have announced HoopsFest Perth 2024, which will be
the biggest basketball spectacular Australia has ever seen, with all
opening-round matches of the NBL, the whole WNBL preseason and the under-18s
being played here in Perth. That will happen later on this year.
Today we announced the economic
impact of Thomas Dambo's Giants of Mandurah, which injected $54 million in visitor spend into the Peel region. That,
again, shows what iconic tourism experiences can do to support the state and, in particular, regional WA. More recently, we saw in the Kimberley—we
discussed this in Kununurra—the success of the Ord Valley Muster 2024
and the program of events through Kununurra. We will also be hosting the World
Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit 2024 in Perth.
There
is a lot happening. There was also the announcement of the consolidation of the
Perth Airport terminals—a project that has been long-awaited. It
is great to see that decision to create a whole new terminal. Rex Airlines is
the airline that the Nationals WA did not want to operate in WA; it has
announced that it will fly from Perth to the eastern states, which will bring
more competition and diversity —
Mr P.J. Rundle interjected.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : No, you have been criticising Rex
Airlines for as long as I can remember. You called for it not to get the contracts for Western Australia, but
now it has put faith in Western Australia to create a new carrier to fly between Perth and the eastern seaboard. I am very proud that our faith in Rex
is now resulting in a wider outcome. There are also new direct flights into
China.
When it comes to tourism, there is a
lot happening out there. We are seeing a lot happen, but do members know what we are not seeing out there in regional WA?
We are not seeing the opposition spokesperson for tourism, because they
were one of the deselected members. They were not part of the ''save the
midwest from the Leader of the Opposition'' faction. My intel is that
the Leader of the Opposition is so worried about the now-Liberal member for
North West Central that —
Point of Order
Dr D.J. HONEY : I have a point
of order.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please! I
need to remind a couple of ministers that points of order are heard in silence.
Dr D.J. HONEY : I think we are
seeing a repeat of yesterday. The minister is straying well away from the
original question that was asked.
The SPEAKER : Minister, just
make sure your answer is relevant to the question you are asked.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : I will come
back to the portfolio of tourism and the fact that the Nationals deselected
their opposition spokesperson for tourism because, as I understand it, this is
about the Leader of the Opposition making sure he has members from the midwest
in the upper house. That is pretty brutal. I understand that those deselected
members are not happy, either.
Mr P. Papalia : He's
got a mild-mannered appearance!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : Mild-mannered
but ruthless in the party room.
Point of Order
Dr D.J. HONEY : Madam Speaker,
I think the minister is treating your direction with contempt.
The
SPEAKER : The minister is very
broadly answering a question about tourism and the midwest, it would appear .
Judging from the usual length of her answers, I am quite confident that there
is only a little while left to go.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : I think my
average answer time would be pretty short, actually!
The SPEAKER : It is. You have
a gold star compared with your colleagues!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : When we think
about tourism, do members know who else is sort of moving around the north of
the metropolitan area?
A government member : Brendon
Grylls?
Several members interjected.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : No; that is
inner city! It is, of course, a former member of the Liberal Party, Ian Goodenough.
We have seen a bit of a colour palette change in his material, members! It has
gone from royal Liberal blue to Nationals green!
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Point of Order
Dr D.J. HONEY : Madam Speaker,
this is becoming ridiculous. This has nothing whatsoever to do with the
original question that was asked.
The SPEAKER : Minister, you
have been given quite a lot of latitude. I am wondering whether you are
finished.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : I will just again
highlight what we are doing in regional Western Australia and across the state
to support tourism and jobs. This is another example of the dysfunctional chaos
that is the opposition of today.
Visitors — St Mark's
Anglican Community School
The SPEAKER : Before I give
the call to the Leader of the Liberal Party, on behalf of the member for
Hillarys, I want to acknowledge Mr Lehman and the students of St Mark's
Anglican Community School. Welcome to Parliament today. It is nice to see you
here.
member for the question.
(1)–(2) Tourism is a key part of our economic
diversification strategy. Under the leadership of the former Minister for Tourism, the current Premier, and, of course,
the former former Minister for Tourism, the member for Mandurah —
Mr D.A. Templeman : For nine
months!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : At a time
when no-one visited the state, members—just remember that! The worst
Minister for Tourism ever!
Mr D.A. Templeman : Stop
reminding me!
Ms
R. SAFFIOTI : Tourism is now part
of our economic diversification strategy, and we have seen a number of incredible
events throughout Western Australia. Last night, we saw the Socceroos play at
HBF Park, winning the game 5–0, as
part of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. A couple of weeks ago, we saw thousands
of people travel to Western Australia to see two Serie A teams, AS Roma
and AC Milan, play in what was an absolutely spectacular evening.
We have also seen the launch of
Camping with Custodians at Lombadina, member for Kimberley, and further
in-reach for Aboriginal tourism and Aboriginal experiences in regional WA. For
lovers of basketball—of which there are many both in this house and
across the state—we have announced HoopsFest Perth 2024, which will be
the biggest basketball spectacular Australia has ever seen, with all
opening-round matches of the NBL, the whole WNBL preseason and the under-18s
being played here in Perth. That will happen later on this year.
Today we announced the economic
impact of Thomas Dambo's Giants of Mandurah, which injected $54 million in visitor spend into the Peel region. That,
again, shows what iconic tourism experiences can do to support the state and, in particular, regional WA. More recently, we saw in the Kimberley—we
discussed this in Kununurra—the success of the Ord Valley Muster 2024
and the program of events through Kununurra. We will also be hosting the World
Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit 2024 in Perth.
There
is a lot happening. There was also the announcement of the consolidation of the
Perth Airport terminals—a project that has been long-awaited. It
is great to see that decision to create a whole new terminal. Rex Airlines is
the airline that the Nationals WA did not want to operate in WA; it has
announced that it will fly from Perth to the eastern states, which will bring
more competition and diversity —
Mr P.J. Rundle interjected.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : No, you have been criticising Rex
Airlines for as long as I can remember. You called for it not to get the contracts for Western Australia, but
now it has put faith in Western Australia to create a new carrier to fly between Perth and the eastern seaboard. I am very proud that our faith in Rex
is now resulting in a wider outcome. There are also new direct flights into
China.
When it comes to tourism, there is a
lot happening out there. We are seeing a lot happen, but do members know what we are not seeing out there in regional WA?
We are not seeing the opposition spokesperson for tourism, because they
were one of the deselected members. They were not part of the ''save the
midwest from the Leader of the Opposition'' faction. My intel is that
the Leader of the Opposition is so worried about the now-Liberal member for
North West Central that —
Point of Order
Dr D.J. HONEY : I have a point
of order.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please! I
need to remind a couple of ministers that points of order are heard in silence.
Dr D.J. HONEY : I think we are
seeing a repeat of yesterday. The minister is straying well away from the
original question that was asked.
The SPEAKER : Minister, just
make sure your answer is relevant to the question you are asked.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : I will come
back to the portfolio of tourism and the fact that the Nationals deselected
their opposition spokesperson for tourism because, as I understand it, this is
about the Leader of the Opposition making sure he has members from the midwest
in the upper house. That is pretty brutal. I understand that those deselected
members are not happy, either.
Mr P. Papalia : He's
got a mild-mannered appearance!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : Mild-mannered
but ruthless in the party room.
Point of Order
Dr D.J. HONEY : Madam Speaker,
I think the minister is treating your direction with contempt.
The
SPEAKER : The minister is very
broadly answering a question about tourism and the midwest, it would appear .
Judging from the usual length of her answers, I am quite confident that there
is only a little while left to go.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : I think my
average answer time would be pretty short, actually!
The SPEAKER : It is. You have
a gold star compared with your colleagues!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : When we think
about tourism, do members know who else is sort of moving around the north of
the metropolitan area?
A government member : Brendon
Grylls?
Several members interjected.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : No; that is
inner city! It is, of course, a former member of the Liberal Party, Ian Goodenough.
We have seen a bit of a colour palette change in his material, members! It has
gone from royal Liberal blue to Nationals green!
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Point of Order
Dr D.J. HONEY : Madam Speaker,
this is becoming ridiculous. This has nothing whatsoever to do with the
original question that was asked.
The SPEAKER : Minister, you
have been given quite a lot of latitude. I am wondering whether you are
finished.
Questions without Notice Resumed
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : I will just again
highlight what we are doing in regional Western Australia and across the state
to support tourism and jobs. This is another example of the dysfunctional chaos
that is the opposition of today.
Visitors — St Mark's
Anglican Community School
The SPEAKER : Before I give
the call to the Leader of the Liberal Party, on behalf of the member for
Hillarys, I want to acknowledge Mr Lehman and the students of St Mark's
Anglican Community School. Welcome to Parliament today. It is nice to see you
here.
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