Opinion
The decision by the Minister for Tourism, the Hon Paul Papalia MLA, not to provide Parliament with information about the amount of funding allocated to certain events in the State’s 2019-20 budget was reasonable and therefore appropriate.
Background
In Parliament on 26 June 2019, Mr Vince Catania MLA asked the Minister for Tourism for information about 2019-20 event funding in Legislative Assembly Question on Notice 5255. Part 2 (c) of the question requested the following information:
- I refer to 2019-20 Budget Paper Number Two, Volume One, p.193, Service Summary Table. Can you please advise the allocation from Royalties for Regions individually for each of the four line items 1. Development of Industry Sectors and Facilitate Investment, 2. Destination Marketing, 3. Event Tourism, and 4. Tourism Destination Development, for each year:
(c) What events are listed to be funded from the 2019-20 budget and for how much each;
On 13 August 2019, the Minister provided much of the requested information to Parliament. In responding to part 2 (c), the Minister replied:
Events to be funded from the 2019-20 Budget and the amounts for each consist of the Regional Events Scheme events provided in Tabled Paper #2[1] and the following Regional Events Program events:
Cape to Cape $140 000
Taste Great Southern $200 000
Ord Valley Muster $550 000
CinefestOz $450 000
Shinju Matsuri $400 000
Mandurah Crab Fest $140 000
Truffle Kerfuffle $150 000
Augusta Adventure Fest $75 000
The following six[2] events will also be funded from the 2019-20 Budget, however, the major events industry is highly competitive and Western Australia competes with interstate and international destinations to secure them. Confidentiality of negotiations, contract terms and funding amounts is critical in order to maintain the Government’s ability to negotiate the best outcome for the State on future events. Accordingly, I will notify the Auditor General’s office and both houses of Parliament that this part of the question will not be answered as per Section 82 of the Financial Management Act 2006.
Margaret River Pro World Championship Tour
Busselton Festival of Triathlon
Ironman Western Australia
Western Australia Gourmet Escape
Australian Men’s Masters Hockey Championships
On 26 August 2019, the Auditor General received the Minister’s notification of his decision not to provide the requested information in accordance with section 82 of the FM Act.
[1] Legislative Assembly, Parliament of Western Australia, Tabled Paper 2643 Figures related to budget items under the Tourism portfolio (2019)
[2] Only 5 events were detailed in the Minister’s response.