TOURISM EVENTS
Can the minister inform the house of the economic value of recent events held in Western Australia?
Ms S.M. McHALE replied:
I thank the member for his question. I am sure he will be very pleased with the results of some of the recent events that have occurred, particularly in his electorate. They are great news for the tourism industry. Independent research that has just been released for four events held in 2006 revealed that those four events generated more than $22 million in direct visitor spending, for a total government investment of $3 million in securing the events. That is an overall economic return of about seven to one. The particular event that the member for Perth is interested in is the Red Bull Air Race, which generated more than $14 million against an expected $10 million. When that impact is considered alongside the fact that more than 300 000 people attended the event, one can see that that event is good for Perth and that it generates excitement amongst Western Australians.
Let us look at what the opposition said about the Red Bull Air Race. The member for Carine questioned the government’s decision to replace Rally Australia with the Red Bull event by saying that we were replacing it with an event that would not return any greater benefit to the state. I place on record that the Red Bull Air Race generated a return on investment of just under 4.7 to $1. Members can contrast that with 1.5 to 1 for Rally Australia.
Dr G.G. Jacobs interjected.
Mr T. Buswell: What does mean?
The SPEAKER: Despite the fact that he does not understand what the minister is saying, the member for Vasse must not interrupt the minister to get an explanation. I call the member for Roe to order .
Ms S.M. McHALE: The member for Vasse wants to be the Treasurer, yet he does not understand a return on investment! He is in a very sorry state.
A few other things that the member for Carine has said in recent times have been outrageous and ridiculous. On 21 March, she called for the Premier to remove the power of the minister to grant leases of more than 20 years on Rottnest Island. Seven or nine days later, she called for those leases to be longer than 20 years. She changed her mind and said that it was unrealistic to have leases for only 20 years. The member for Carine should apologise to Broadwater Hotels and Resorts for suggesting that the Mount Herschel project is corrupt. She has deliberately tried to thwart the project by alleging that Broadwater engaged lobbyists. I assure the house that that is so far from the truth that, once again, the member for Carine is the laughing stock of the industry. She ought to do her research and apologise to Broadwater for her embarrassing gaffe.
The Red Bull Air Race will come back to the Swan River on 3 and 4 November. The members for Perth and South Perth ought to be happy about that. It will be bigger and better than last year with a new dynamic competition. It is a great event for Western Australia. We on this side of the house are promoting Western Australia in everything we do. Alternatively, the member for Carine constantly undermines the industry and knocks the project. She ought to be ashamed of herself.