JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT
612. Ms A.E. KENT to the Premier:
I
refer to the McGowan Labor government's commitment to ensuring that Western
Australia has a strong and stable economic position in light of growing
concerns about a global recession.
(1) Can the
Premier update the house on this government's success in delivering a nation-leading
economy?
(2) Can the
Premier advise the house how he will use the opportunity provided by the
upcoming visit of the Japanese Prime Minister to further strengthen our trade
and investment relationship?
Mr M.
McGOWAN replied:
I thank the
member for Kalgoorlie.
(1) Obviously, Western
Australia continues to be the economic powerhouse of Australia. Over the COVID
pandemic, we supported the rest of the country during their difficulties by
keeping our industries open and keeping COVID out, despite some of the
criticisms that have now emerged. It is good to see that the figures today show
that Western Australia's employment figures remain extremely strong. We
have the strongest participation rate in Australia and we have a very low
unemployment rate. We are amongst the strongest, if not the strongest, in
Australia when it comes to these matters.
(2) In coming
days, the Japanese Prime Minister will visit Australia. He will only visit one
place and that is Western Australia. I will join the Prime Minister and other
people involved in business and the like in various meetings with the Japanese
Prime Minister and at various events. It is terrific that Prime Minister Kishida is taking the opportunity to come to Western
Australia. For the last 60 or so years, Japan has been a very important
trade and investment partner for Western Australia. It is our second-largest
trading partner. It is a very reliable and friendly trading partner and very
important for the success of the Western Australian economy.
We
will also take this opportunity to promote diversification initiatives for the Western
Australian economy. Before the COVID
pandemic, the former Minister for Tourism, who is now the Minister for Police,
secured direct flights between Tokyo
and Perth. We will advocate for a restart of those direct flights, which were unfortunately
cancelled over the COVID period. We will also promote investment in economic
diversification, particularly for renewable hydrogen and battery minerals, with
the Japanese government. That will be an ongoing opportunity for Japan to
invest in Western Australia and take offtake of renewable hydrogen and battery
minerals.
As the member said, the world is in
grave danger of entering a recession next year. We will continue to make sure
that Western Australia remains as strong as possible to confront what might be
ahead of us.
Visitors — Harvey
Primary School and Georgiana Molloy Anglican School
The SPEAKER: I would like to welcome some guests to my gallery
today. On behalf of the member for Murray–Wellington, I would
like to acknowledge the nine students from Harvey Primary School. Welcome. I also
acknowledge that we have guests of the member for Vasse from Georgiana Molloy
Anglican School. Welcome.