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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-11-15 Daily Xml
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Major Events

Ms HUTCHESSON (Waite) (14:33): My question is to the Premier. Can the Premier update the house about the calendar of major events coming to South Australia over the next six months and the economic impact these events will provide to the state?

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:33): In the lead-up to the state election, we announced a very deliberate policy in regard to tourism in the state of South Australia. There were multiple components of our policy that was developed largely by the then shadow minister for tourism and, I am pleased to say, the now Minister for Tourism in South Australia, the Hon. Zoe Bettison.

It was also a policy that was informed by the experience that each and every one of us had the privilege of being able to encounter by talking to people at the frontline of those who paid the biggest price during the course of the pandemic. There should be no misapprehension or misunderstanding about the fact that during the pandemic there were a lot of people in our community who were actually economic beneficiaries of the circumstances. But they were only able to have that benefit as a result of the extraordinary sacrifice that was paid by only a few, and they were principally tourism operators and hospitality operators. So we said we were going to do something about it, given the chance.

We have formulated a comprehensive policy. Two keys elements to it I will refer to right now—one, a big boost for tourism marketing funding that was funded by the Treasurer in this year's budget, and the second was a $40 million major events attraction policy—and we have delivered in not too short a space of time.

What I would like to point out is that not only have the announcements been made, but on all accounts, despite them only being days old, it is already driving demand within the very sector where we had hoped to see that demand. I am pleased to report on the remarks and the quotes from the Australian Hotels Association:

Hotels are seeing a surge in bookings since the announcement LIV Golf and the AFL magic round. They are forecasting record booking levels that haven't been seen in many years, and there is a sense of optimism and excitement about these massive two events for our state. The events send a fantastic message to other accommodation and tourism investors for our state.

This morning, as it so happens, I was able to speak at the AAA conference, which is the Australian Airports Association conference, which happened to be meeting in Adelaide for the first time in three years—quite a big event.

Mr Tarzia interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Hartley is warned for a second time.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: What is becoming clear is that we have got work to do between now and April next year to get airlines putting on additional flights. For the AFL Magic Round alone, the AFL are booking out—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: We could have a new name in due course, but for the purposes—

The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Morialta is called to order.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —of the AFL Magic Round, the AFL themselves are booking out 1,400 rooms just to meet the needs of their players and accommodation. I welcome the support from the member for Schubert, who is already out there—not the member for Schubert. I should say the member for Schubert's—

Mrs Hurn: Brother.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: —brother, who is out there advocating for a game in the Barossa which we are really determined to deliver. We would—

The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner interjecting:

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS: She is keen on it? That's good, because what the member for Schubert clearly understands is that these types of events are a big deal for our state and the economy, but most profoundly they are a big deal for those people who paid the big sacrifices during the pandemic. I know we are in a different phase. I know lockdowns feel like a long time ago, restrictions feel like a long time ago, but the people who endured them and paid the sacrifices remember the pain and the hurt and they are looking forward to April next year to be an opportunity to showcase our state, to be at work and to have our economy pumping on all cylinders.

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