CORONAVIRUS —
RESTRICTIONS
490. Mr T.J. HEALY to the Premier:
I refer to the nation-leading
response to the COVID-19 pandemic by all Western Australians and the McGowan
Labor government's strong stance in keeping the hard border with the
east that has allowed this government to ease restrictions far more than any
other state in this country. Can the Premier please outline to the house what
the easing of restrictions on Saturday will mean for Western Australians and,
in particular, for WA's hospitality sector and workers in the state's
live entertainment industry?
Mr M.
McGOWAN replied:
I thank the member for Southern
River for the question. Who would ever have thought that there would be a serious
conversation about Western Australia hosting an Australian Football League
grand final and who would ever have thought that Victorian-based AFL greats
would be talking up in support of an AFL grand final in Perth—people like Gary Lyon? But that has now happened. It is a
real sign of how Western Australia's response to COVID-19 has
led the nation. On Saturday, we will have much activity back within Western Australia,
far more than any other state. From Saturday, venues such as Optus Stadium and
RAC Arena can go to 50 per cent capacity. On Saturday, Optus Stadium can hold
between 30 000 and 35 000 people, depending on the event. Hopefully, from
Saturday, 18 July, dependent upon a low infection rate, we can remove the
capacity limits altogether on those venues. That is because of the great work
of Western Australians. Western Australians have embraced the changes needed
very, very well over the course of the last four months, and that has resulted
in good outcomes in Western Australia. It is also a result of our hard border
and quarantine arrangements with the east and internationally. Without our
border arrangements, we would not have had the security and the comfort to put
in place the measures that we have to allow for a reopening of our economy
within Western Australia. Had we followed the advice of the Liberal Party of Western
Australia, all these things would not be happening in our state. As of
Saturday, we will no longer have caps or limits on gatherings within Western Australia
and bars, cafes, restaurants and pubs will not be restricted to a seated
service; we will have the most vibrant and lively hospitality sector. Western Australia
will also be the first state in the nation to have unseated performances of
live music; music venues will reopen and bars and clubs will be able to have
live music again. I am actually attending one on Saturday.
Several members interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN: It will be a very
interesting experience, I am sure. I used to spend a lot of time at the Swinging Pig a couple of decades ago. I wonder
whether� the same people are still there; I might see some old mates.
As of Saturday, many people can get
back to doing what they love providing great music and great entertainment. This is all possible because of the comfort and
security provided by our hard border, which has been opposed by the
Liberal Party in Western Australia. Finally, gyms will be able to get back to
opening without staff, so 24/7 gyms can go back to normal. Places like Plus
Fitness in Mt Lawley, which I visited a few weeks ago, will be able to get back
to normal as of Saturday.
I am concerned about the High Court
challenge by Mr Clive Palmer, which is backed by the Western Australia
Liberals. It is also of concern to the people of Western Australia. We have
done our best to protect the people of our state and open our economy within
our borders, and I would hate to see these sorts of actions taken by Mr Palmer
and the Liberal Party shatter confidence in our economy. That is why I have
requested that Mr Palmer and the Liberal Party desist from this High Court
action. I urge members of the opposition in Western Australia to show a bit of
leadership and back down on these efforts to undermine the very good work of
the people of Western Australia over this traumatic period.
The SPEAKER: Before we have
the next question, I think we should congratulate Collingwood for once again
travelling interstate and helping out the league!