As the 2017 State Election on March 11 closes in, learn what could be in store from each of the parties with this snapshot of their election promises.
The Nationals were the first to announce their policy, declaring a ‘tourism investment revolution’, which would see $610 million invested in the following areas:
- Regional Tourism Product and Infrastructure Fund
- Regional Aviation Affordability Fund
- Destination Marketing
- Regional Aboriginal Experience Fund
- Regional Event Program
- Regional Visitor Centres digital infrastructure fund
WA Labor leader Mark McGowan then revealed plans for tourism and an initiative called ‘Brand WA’, which will provide a global toolkit of consistent concepts, packaging and messaging that will promote our State to the rest of the world. Priorities include:
- Invest $425 million in tourism to promote WA so it becomes one of the world’s great tourist destinations
- Establish ‘Brand WA’ to provide a consistent but flexible approach to marketing WA across all industries
- Creating New Jobs – The Knowledge Economy
- Promote International Trade and Investment
- Perth Racing Masters Carnival to become major tourist drawcard and create jobs
Meanwhile, The Greens have pledged to work towards an additional $20 million to boost regional and rural tourism, through grants for local tourism operators, community groups and local governments. Areas of focus include:
- Supporting tourism through events and destination marketing
- Transforming regional economies through grant funding targeting developing tourism ventures
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Championing strong protection for Western Australia’s precious places and unique cultural heritage
- Encouraging international visitors to WA
Election promise comparison
Tourism Council WA has compiled the following chart comparing election commitments
| Annual Tourism Funding 2017-2021 | 2016 Budget | Proposed Funding | WA Labor Promise | Liberals WA Promise | Nationals Promise | Greens Promise |
| Marketing & Events | $81M | $100M | $87M | ? | $106M* | $101 |
| Destination Development | $8M | $11M | ? | ? | $25M* | ? |
| Regional Tourism Development | n/a | $100M | ? | ? | $50M* | $5M |
| National Park Visitor Facilities | n/a | $5M | ? | ? | ? | ? |
*Nationals promise depends on revenue from their proposed mining tax.
Notes
- Funding figures are the average annual funding over the four financial years 2017-2021 of the next term of government.
- Marketing and Events includes funding for Leisure Tourism, Major & Business Events, International Education and Aviation Development.
- Destination Development includes funding for Visitor Centres and Aboriginal Tourism but does not include one-off Caravan & Camping Action Plan Funding due to end in 2017-18.