❓ Question regarding the McGowan government's investment in Rottnest Island tourism and how it will support increased visitor numbers. The Premier outlines specific investments in infrastructure and initiatives to attract more tourists.
AnsweredQoN 258Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
ROTTNEST ISLAND —
TOURISM
258. Mrs J.M.C. STOJKOVSKI to the Premier:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's record investment in tourism that is supporting Western Australian
tourism businesses in helping to create local jobs. Can the Premier outline to
the house how the significant funding for Rottnest Island that was announced
today will ensure key tourism attractions will support the record number of
tourists visiting the island and continue to help attract more visitors to WA?
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Vasse, just let him open his mouth.
TOURISM
258. Mrs J.M.C. STOJKOVSKI to the Premier:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's record investment in tourism that is supporting Western Australian
tourism businesses in helping to create local jobs. Can the Premier outline to
the house how the significant funding for Rottnest Island that was announced
today will ensure key tourism attractions will support the record number of
tourists visiting the island and continue to help attract more visitors to WA?
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Vasse, just let him open his mouth.
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Kingsley for
the question. I was very pleased this morning to open the Australian Tourism
Exchange at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, with thousands of
delegates from around Australia and around the world here in Western Australia.
We are showing off the state to all of these delegates from around Australia
and around the world. I think this will be one of the finest Australian Tourism
Exchanges ever held in the 40 years it has been operation.
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Vasse!
Mr M. McGOWAN : I must say I want
to congratulate everyone from tourism in Western Australia. When I was there,
the stalls and the activity put on display by the Western Australian operators
were absolutely outstanding. I would like to thank the Tourism Commission and
all the tourism operators for all their work. One of things I announced today
was our investment in Rottnest Island in the coming budget, with $16.2 million
in state government funding. We have now been able to secure another $17.2
million from the commonwealth government. One thing about this government is
that we have managed to get those commonwealth people just to shower money upon
us. The last government would not even talk to the commonwealth government, and
it was on the same side!
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr M. McGOWAN : There is $33
million being invested in Rottnest Island. Our investment will be in a new
landing facility at the Army jetty for the barges so they do not mingle with
the tourists coming ashore.
Mr D.C. Nalder interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Please, stop
interjecting. It is good news.
We are also redeveloping the fuel
jetty. Those two investments will make it safer and upgrade infrastructure that
needs upgrading at Rottnest Island. The CEO of the Rottnest Island Authority,
Michelle Reynolds, says that this will allow the authority to bring forward
some upgrades to accommodation. We have seen record numbers of visitors
visiting Rottnest Island—no less than 325 000 over the summer period.
Obviously, we continue to upgrade the services. Last year we launched an
additional ferry service. We have managed to drive down the fares to the
island. We have launched discount fees for children. We have seen nine new
businesses established at Rottnest and we have also secured a new eco-camping
facility at Rottnest.
Mr D.C. Nalder interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Bateman!
Mr M. McGOWAN : I note that
under the last government the golf course was upgraded and I think at least
another couple of people went over there as a consequence!
Mr D.C. Nalder interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Bateman!
Mr M. McGOWAN : With our
record investment in tourism, marketing and events, our improvements to
Rottnest, and our securing of additional flights from Japan coming in
September, we have seen record high growth in international visitors to Western
Australia —
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Vasse!
Mr M. McGOWAN : — and
record high growth in interstate visitors coming to Western Australia. That has
all occurred under this Labor government.
the question. I was very pleased this morning to open the Australian Tourism
Exchange at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, with thousands of
delegates from around Australia and around the world here in Western Australia.
We are showing off the state to all of these delegates from around Australia
and around the world. I think this will be one of the finest Australian Tourism
Exchanges ever held in the 40 years it has been operation.
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Vasse!
Mr M. McGOWAN : I must say I want
to congratulate everyone from tourism in Western Australia. When I was there,
the stalls and the activity put on display by the Western Australian operators
were absolutely outstanding. I would like to thank the Tourism Commission and
all the tourism operators for all their work. One of things I announced today
was our investment in Rottnest Island in the coming budget, with $16.2 million
in state government funding. We have now been able to secure another $17.2
million from the commonwealth government. One thing about this government is
that we have managed to get those commonwealth people just to shower money upon
us. The last government would not even talk to the commonwealth government, and
it was on the same side!
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr M. McGOWAN : There is $33
million being invested in Rottnest Island. Our investment will be in a new
landing facility at the Army jetty for the barges so they do not mingle with
the tourists coming ashore.
Mr D.C. Nalder interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Please, stop
interjecting. It is good news.
We are also redeveloping the fuel
jetty. Those two investments will make it safer and upgrade infrastructure that
needs upgrading at Rottnest Island. The CEO of the Rottnest Island Authority,
Michelle Reynolds, says that this will allow the authority to bring forward
some upgrades to accommodation. We have seen record numbers of visitors
visiting Rottnest Island—no less than 325 000 over the summer period.
Obviously, we continue to upgrade the services. Last year we launched an
additional ferry service. We have managed to drive down the fares to the
island. We have launched discount fees for children. We have seen nine new
businesses established at Rottnest and we have also secured a new eco-camping
facility at Rottnest.
Mr D.C. Nalder interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Bateman!
Mr M. McGOWAN : I note that
under the last government the golf course was upgraded and I think at least
another couple of people went over there as a consequence!
Mr D.C. Nalder interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Bateman!
Mr M. McGOWAN : With our
record investment in tourism, marketing and events, our improvements to
Rottnest, and our securing of additional flights from Japan coming in
September, we have seen record high growth in international visitors to Western
Australia —
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Vasse!
Mr M. McGOWAN : — and
record high growth in interstate visitors coming to Western Australia. That has
all occurred under this Labor government.
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