Home and Away
Brief ministerial statement
Mr Reece Whitby (Baldivis—Minister for Tourism) (12:11 pm): Thank you, and my sincere apologies to you, Speaker, and my colleague for the background music. Ironically, I could probably do with background music during my contribution this morning.
I rise to inform the house of our government's recent announcement that one of Australia's most loved television shows will be filming in Western Australia for the first time. From Summer Bay to WA, Home and Away is packing its bags and heading west to film five special episodes, and filming is getting closer each day. With production in October, the episodes will air in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom in 2026 and focus international attention on our state. Just last night, beloved character Irene Roberts departed Home and Away after 33 seasons, but why should it be goodnight Irene? Maybe we can convince Irene to relocate her iconic diner to Western Australia, and will Alf Stewart set up his own version of Alf's bait shop in the west? How will he describe our coastal scenery, our cities, our towns and unique tourism experiences? I suspect he will say, "It's flamin' marvellous!" We know that Chris Hemsworth loves Western Australia, so will he swap Hollywood for WA in a return to the bay? Will a certain former member for Mandurah reprise his considerable thespian talents for a cameo? We know that our beaches are the best in the world, and whoever makes the trip will be thinking, "I want to stay forever", by the end of the filming.
Along with its loyal Australian viewing base, the program has amassed a global following and airs in 50 countries, including our largest international visitor market, the UK. Every episode there attracts a quarter of a million viewers. In 2024 alone, WA welcomed 117,000 visitors from the UK, who spent nearly $240 million, so you know we belong together! Filming Home and Away on the west coast will showcase WA's beautiful landscapes, first and foremost, but also create opportunities for local creatives to join the set. The partnership with the Seven Network will showcase WA destinations and experiences to a global audience. Dubbed the "WA special event", the episodes will be promoted across the Seven Network platforms, including interviews with visiting cast members and destination promotion.
Filming Home and Away in Western Australia is just another example of the Cook government's economic diversification, which is, of course, my guiding star. We attract out-of-state visitors who boost local industry and businesses, which is why tourists must surely sigh, "Hold me in your arms. Don't let me go", and that is flamin' marvellous! Thank you.
