DIRECT FLIGHTS — BUSSELTON–MELBOURNE
223. Ms E.J. KELSBIE to the Minister for Tourism:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's commitment to supporting jobs and businesses in Western Australia's
tourism industry. Can the minister update the house on the measures the McGowan
Labor government is taking to support the state's tourism operators and
attract more interstate visitors to WA, including its efforts to support the
new direct flights between Melbourne and Busselton?
Mr R.H.
COOK replied:
I thank the member for the question.
It is a great question and really highlights a terrific milestone that has
taken place today. I have just now returned
from Busselton–Margaret River Airport where I was proud to welcome
Jetstar's first ever commercial air service between Melbourne
and Busselton. I was joined by Hon Alannah MacTiernan, the Minister for
Regional Development, and local members from the state and federal government,
including the Mayor of Busselton, who were
all there to celebrate this great milestone that means people will now be able
to travel from Melbourne to Busselton or from Busselton to Melbourne and
take advantage of this great new air link. This fabulous new air service will offer a gateway into Western Australia
that is set to boost the tourism industry, allowing interstate visitors to fly direct to the south
west. We know that the south west and the Margaret River region is one of
the jewels in the crown of Western Australia's tourism product. It is
exciting to now see that people have the option to fly directly into the south
west to really take advantage of all there is to offer. The direct flights will
now run three times a week, providing a regular service that will unlock new
opportunities for investment and job creation.
This
government, through the South West Development Commission and Tourism WA, has
worked closely with the City of
Busselton, which has done a great deal of work to get this up and running and
take the project from a business case
to development to securing the airline service. This does more than just
welcome tourists. Obviously, it provides job opportunities for people in
the tourism industry. Looking around that airport we saw baggage handlers,
people doing security screening and people working in the car hire bays. They
are really taking advantage of this great new
opportunity. This morning, 185 people flew in from Melbourne, and it was great
to speak with some of them. The twin
sister of a young family who came over to visit friends and relatives in
Busselton said that it was much easier
to fly directly into Busselton without having to go through Perth. A young
family that was travelling back to Narrogin thought it would be easier to go to
Busselton first and travel on to Narrogin rather than go into the City of Perth.
The McGowan government is also
giving visitors another reason to explore the region with the South West
Wanderer Pass. The regional tourism organisation called Australia's
South West has an initiative offering visitors who book the new Melbourne to Busselton
route $100 towards participating in tours, experiences and attractions around
Margaret River and beyond. The McGowan government is also supporting tour
operators right around the state with the recently announced incentive offering
out-of-state visitors 50 per cent off WA tourism experiences. That $500 000 campaign
will see more than a million dollars injected directly into WA tour and
experience companies while also helping to
promote the incredible activities on offer around the state. The campaign will
provide discounts on more than 300
tours and attractions, whether it is camels in Broome, whale sharks in Exmouth
or cultural tours in Margaret River. This is a great opportunity for
people to wander out yonder and really explore WA.
Finally, I think we should all
acknowledge that over the last couple of years we have all heard the stories
about how hospitality and accommodation in some areas in the state have gone
gangbusters and have had a great couple of seasons. We should all reflect on
the fact that tour operators, generally, wherever they are in the state, rely
more upon interstate and international
arrivals, and so they have done it tough. They have done it tough and they are
looking forward to a great year now that we have the borders open and WA
is open for business. This new voucher package will hopefully provide them with
a great boost, and that is because the McGowan government is committed to
making sure that everyone knows that we are open for visitors and we cannot
wait for them to come.
The SPEAKER: Sorry; member
for Warren–Blackwood, do you have a subsequent question?
Ms E.J. Kelsbie: No; I have
another question.
The SPEAKER: Okay. Leader of
the Opposition.