❓ Mr Sutherland asks about the benefits of the soon-to-open Perth Arena. The Minister responds enthusiastically, highlighting the venue's versatility and the world-class acts and sporting events it will attract.
AnsweredQoN 609Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PERTH
ARENA — OPENING
609. Mr M.W. SUTHERLAND to the Minister for Sport and
Recreation:
With the much-anticipated opening of the Perth Arena
approaching, can the minister remind the house what Western Australians have to
look forward to once this world-class venue opens?
ARENA — OPENING
609. Mr M.W. SUTHERLAND to the Minister for Sport and
Recreation:
With the much-anticipated opening of the Perth Arena
approaching, can the minister remind the house what Western Australians have to
look forward to once this world-class venue opens?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Mount Lawley for his question.
Perth Arena has probably attracted its fair share of
attention over the past few years—some of it for the wrong reasons—but
I am delighted, however, that the arena is now attracting attention for, I
think, all the right reasons. This wonderful sport and entertainment facility
is very close to completion—I think BGC is finishing on Friday—so
it is timely that I take the opportunity to inform members of what they can
expect there over the next few months.
I went down today and had a look, and it is looking fantastic
inside. I think the public will get a terrific surprise when they get to go
into this facility; it looks great. Just to remind members, it is, of course, a
multipurpose facility, equipped for everything from concerts, right through to
the Hopman Cup and all sorts of modes of entertainment in between. With its 15 500
capacity, we expect it to attract world-class acts and performers, elite
sporting competitions and productions, the likes of which I do not think we
have seen before in Western Australia. The design of the arena, of course, is
inclusive of state-of-the-art acoustics and a retractable roof, which gives the
venue operator—AEG Ogden—great flexibility to have concerts one
night, and elite sporting competitions the next day. I think that is no better
highlighted than by the schedule of acts in the first few weeks.
Of course, we have all heard that George Michael has had to
cancel his Australian tour due to ill health, and obviously we wish George the
best! However, I think —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members, I know that the news of the Minister for Sport and Recreation is
distressing to many of you; however, I would ask for some silence for the
remainder of the minister's response.
Mr T.K. WALDRON : I
remember when I first went there, they asked me who we could expect, and I
cited a few bands and I said Elton John; I had the former Treasurer with me,
who said, ''Hang on; there's a bit more, Minister for Sport and
Recreation, than Elton John; there are a few modern bands.'' So we have
a good cross-section coming. I think AEG Ogden has done a terrific job in
securing Elton John for his concert under the stars with the roof open on 10
November, after George Michael could not come. It will make for a fabulous
opening night. In addition to his opening night, he also has a second concert,
and then on the Monday we have Nickelback, then we have Matchbox 20.
Mr T.R. Buswell :
Who?
Mr
T.K. WALDRON : I know about Matchbox 20; do not worry about that! My
daughters are well aware of them!
Mr
B.S. Wyatt : Name three songs!
Mr
T.K. WALDRON : With my voice now, it is better I do not do my Elton John
numbers!
I think the Perth Wildcats first
fixture, on Friday, 16 November, will be fantastic. Looking at that venue
today, it is going to be a whole new experience to watch the basketball. With
the Wildcats doing so well, I think it is going to be a fantastic for people in
Perth.
Others coming are Jennifer Lopez, Weezer, Celtic Thunder and
One Direction! Now, I will say I am not a great One Direction man, but —
Mr T.R. Buswell :
You're two directions!
Mr T.K. WALDRON :
But it is really interesting to note that I am advised that One Direction sold
out in around six minutes—so there we go! Also, Pink is coming; many
members know of Pink. People in Western Australia have a great deal to look forward
to. Stay tuned because there will be a lot more announcements of acts of that
calibre.
I am really looking forward to this year's Hopman Cup,
with the best tennis players coming—names such as Tomic, Williams,
Djokovic, Tsonga, Verdasco and Haas, just to name a few. The Hopman Cup now
lays claim to probably having one of its strongest fields. I am sure that
playing in this new arena, which replicates Rod Laver Arena to a certain
extent, has had a great deal to do with that. The Hopman Cup will again be
something special.
I want to let everyone know there are two exciting lead-up
events that will give the community the opportunity to see Perth Arena
firsthand. On 2 November, there is a free concert featuring local bands. This
event is called ''Plug into Perth''. It will provide a unique
opportunity for unsigned, grassroots WA artists to be the first ones to play on
the Perth Arena big stage. The second event, on 4 November, is an
access-all-areas opportunity for the general public. The doors to Perth Arena
will be thrown open on 4 November. People will have the opportunity to
undertake a self-guided tour to all corners of the Arena. People will be able
to see the dressing rooms; the whole lot. It will be a great day for the Perth
public. It is an exciting time for the city and the state. It is now being
referred to as the best venue of its type in Australia. It is opening very
soon. I hope everyone takes the opportunity to get along to see some of the
class acts and sporting events that will come.
Perth Arena has probably attracted its fair share of
attention over the past few years—some of it for the wrong reasons—but
I am delighted, however, that the arena is now attracting attention for, I
think, all the right reasons. This wonderful sport and entertainment facility
is very close to completion—I think BGC is finishing on Friday—so
it is timely that I take the opportunity to inform members of what they can
expect there over the next few months.
I went down today and had a look, and it is looking fantastic
inside. I think the public will get a terrific surprise when they get to go
into this facility; it looks great. Just to remind members, it is, of course, a
multipurpose facility, equipped for everything from concerts, right through to
the Hopman Cup and all sorts of modes of entertainment in between. With its 15 500
capacity, we expect it to attract world-class acts and performers, elite
sporting competitions and productions, the likes of which I do not think we
have seen before in Western Australia. The design of the arena, of course, is
inclusive of state-of-the-art acoustics and a retractable roof, which gives the
venue operator—AEG Ogden—great flexibility to have concerts one
night, and elite sporting competitions the next day. I think that is no better
highlighted than by the schedule of acts in the first few weeks.
Of course, we have all heard that George Michael has had to
cancel his Australian tour due to ill health, and obviously we wish George the
best! However, I think —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Members, I know that the news of the Minister for Sport and Recreation is
distressing to many of you; however, I would ask for some silence for the
remainder of the minister's response.
Mr T.K. WALDRON : I
remember when I first went there, they asked me who we could expect, and I
cited a few bands and I said Elton John; I had the former Treasurer with me,
who said, ''Hang on; there's a bit more, Minister for Sport and
Recreation, than Elton John; there are a few modern bands.'' So we have
a good cross-section coming. I think AEG Ogden has done a terrific job in
securing Elton John for his concert under the stars with the roof open on 10
November, after George Michael could not come. It will make for a fabulous
opening night. In addition to his opening night, he also has a second concert,
and then on the Monday we have Nickelback, then we have Matchbox 20.
Mr T.R. Buswell :
Who?
Mr
T.K. WALDRON : I know about Matchbox 20; do not worry about that! My
daughters are well aware of them!
Mr
B.S. Wyatt : Name three songs!
Mr
T.K. WALDRON : With my voice now, it is better I do not do my Elton John
numbers!
I think the Perth Wildcats first
fixture, on Friday, 16 November, will be fantastic. Looking at that venue
today, it is going to be a whole new experience to watch the basketball. With
the Wildcats doing so well, I think it is going to be a fantastic for people in
Perth.
Others coming are Jennifer Lopez, Weezer, Celtic Thunder and
One Direction! Now, I will say I am not a great One Direction man, but —
Mr T.R. Buswell :
You're two directions!
Mr T.K. WALDRON :
But it is really interesting to note that I am advised that One Direction sold
out in around six minutes—so there we go! Also, Pink is coming; many
members know of Pink. People in Western Australia have a great deal to look forward
to. Stay tuned because there will be a lot more announcements of acts of that
calibre.
I am really looking forward to this year's Hopman Cup,
with the best tennis players coming—names such as Tomic, Williams,
Djokovic, Tsonga, Verdasco and Haas, just to name a few. The Hopman Cup now
lays claim to probably having one of its strongest fields. I am sure that
playing in this new arena, which replicates Rod Laver Arena to a certain
extent, has had a great deal to do with that. The Hopman Cup will again be
something special.
I want to let everyone know there are two exciting lead-up
events that will give the community the opportunity to see Perth Arena
firsthand. On 2 November, there is a free concert featuring local bands. This
event is called ''Plug into Perth''. It will provide a unique
opportunity for unsigned, grassroots WA artists to be the first ones to play on
the Perth Arena big stage. The second event, on 4 November, is an
access-all-areas opportunity for the general public. The doors to Perth Arena
will be thrown open on 4 November. People will have the opportunity to
undertake a self-guided tour to all corners of the Arena. People will be able
to see the dressing rooms; the whole lot. It will be a great day for the Perth
public. It is an exciting time for the city and the state. It is now being
referred to as the best venue of its type in Australia. It is opening very
soon. I hope everyone takes the opportunity to get along to see some of the
class acts and sporting events that will come.
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