GIANTS OF MANDURAH EXHIBITION
705. Mrs R.M.J. CLARKE to the Minister for Tourism:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's commitment to diversifying the WA economy through its
investment in tourism and world-class events and attractions. Can the minister
outline to the house what this government's success in securing the Giants
of Mandurah exhibition by world-renowned artist Thomas Dambo means for
tourism, particularly for the Peel region, and can the minister advise the
house how major events like this support the local economy and local jobs?
Mr R.H.
COOK replied:
I thank the member for the question.
It was a genuine pleasure to be with
the member for Murray–Wellington, along with the Premier; the Minister
for Culture and the Arts, the member for
Mandurah; and the member for Dawesville at the official launch of Giants of
Mandurah from Tuesday through to Saturday last week. It was also a pleasure
to have the Mayors of Mandurah and Subiaco at that event because, as people
would be aware, the Giants of Mandurah exhibition extends from the City
of Subiaco down to Mandurah.
The secret is out. The rest of the
world now understands what Western Australians have known for many years—that
is, how extraordinary WA is as a tourism destination. Members may have noticed
that Lonely Planet named Western Australia one of the top 30 places in
the world to visit in 2023 and one of the top five global journeys in 2023.
This comes on top of Forbes naming Perth as one of the top 10 places to
visit in 2023. These are incredible opportunities for our tourism industry, an
industry that, in 2019, employed more than 100 000 people and provided $13.5 billion
worth of activity to our state's economy. It is an important part as we
continue to grow rewarding jobs and diversity in our economy. Our ability to turn
expectations on their head and attract people from across the world is because
of attractions like the Giants of Mandurah.
The
Giants of Mandurah is an Australia-first spectacular exhibition of
larger than life hidden sculptures by world-renowned
artist Thomas Dambo. The giants will reside in their hiding spots across the
Peel region and Subiaco for at least the next year and are expected to
attract a high number of visitors to the region, providing a significant boost
for local accommodation, cafes, and the hospitality and tourism industries. The
Giants of Mandurah is supported by the McGowan government through
Tourism WA's regional events program; the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries; and
Lotterywest, as well as the City of Subiaco and the Alcoa Foundation. It
is through these creative events that the McGowan government is encouraging
people to visit, explore and stay in
regional WA to experience all the fantastic accommodation, dining and tourism
opportunities on offer. What this represents
is local jobs—quality local jobs for people to enjoy in the communities
in which they live. Bringing these parts of regional Western Australia
alive is an incredibly important part of our economic strategy.
I
have previously mentioned the list of world-class tourism and sporting events
happening here in Perth, but the list of
events happening in regional WA is equally impressive. That includes the total
solar eclipse, which will occur in the
state's north; the Margaret River Pro in the south west; or any number
of events like the 2023 UCI Mountain Bike Marathon Masters World
Championships, which is happening in your electorate, member for Murray–Wellington,
or Dambo's giants in the Peel. There
is something for everyone in regional WA, and this is about not only continuing
to stimulate visitors to get out of the metropolitan area and into regional Western
Australia, but also attracting people from interstate and international
tourists, who are now relying upon publications like Lonely Planet to
guide them in a post-COVID world on how they go out and explore the world once
again. They will be directed to Western Australia, our incredible tourism
product, which features an amazing and safe environment, great culinary and
wine experiences and incredible landscapes that inspire everyone in the world.
I strongly encourage all members to
take their families to Mandurah and Subiaco to see the many attractions on
offer. Once they have finished finding and climbing on the giants, they can go
and poke the local member, which is equally rewarding!
Mr J.N. Carey: Who wants to
poke him?
Mr R.H. COOK: He is rather
spongy around the middle!
Mr M. McGowan: The pygmies of
Mandurah!
Mr R.H. COOK: The pygmies of
Mandurah!
This is a great tourism initiative
and we very much look forward to the Western Australian public enjoying it.