Premier Roger Cook announced the development of eight new theatre spaces for the forthcoming WAAPA City Campus on 25th October 2024, along with a landmark philanthropic contribution by the Minderoo Foundation.
Making the announcement, Premier Cook said “ECU City and WAAPA will transform the face and very fabric of Perth’s CBD… The relocation of these Western Australian institutions will draw thousands of students, staff and audience members into our city centre, driving economic activity, supporting businesses and creating a thriving and vibrant CBD day and night… Today we are excited to unveil the development of WAAPA’s exceptional city performance theatres, which will put our State on the map as a world-leading centre of arts and culture.
The bigger picture for the future of performing arts in WA is beginning to emerge, with remarkable talent set to pass through the doors of ECU City WAAPA in 2026 – as our new $233 million Perth Film Studios welcomes its first productions and the revitalised Perth Cultural Centre opens to the public. The vision for ECU City and WAAPA is coming to life, and I welcome ECU’s partnerships with leading philanthropic organisations such as Minderoo Foundation…”
Edith Cowan University (ECU) and Minderoo Foundation have entered a $30 million, 25-year philanthropic partnership in support of the state-of-the-art new home for the university’s Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).
The biggest-ever gift to the performing arts in Australia is one of the largest donations received by a WA university and in the top ten of all philanthropic contributions to any Australian university.

New data from the Australian Cruise Association  reveals that the cruise sector in Western Australia has hit a new high with fresh figures revealing the industry generated a record $385 million for the WA economy over 2023-24.
WA welcomed 290 small and large cruise ship visits over the period with Broome and Fremantle the most popular ports,  which supported jobs.
There is continued focus on growth in the State's cruise sector, through the Western Australian Cruise Tourism Strategic Plan 2023-2033. 
Around $1.8 million in funding will be spent delivering the strategic plan over the next four years and building cruise line engagement, with an additional $35.5 million committed to improve infrastructure at Fremantle Passenger Terminal.
Fremantle has been selected to host the 2025 Australian Cruise Association Conference, bringing over 150 of Australia's top industry representatives together to discuss port opportunities.

Australian Cruise Association research

The Federal government has released its inquiry looking at the opportunities and challenges facing the tourism and international education sectors since the reopening of Australia’s borders post- pandemic.
​The report includes 28 recommendations to improve the industry's resilience.
Subcommittee Chair, Senator Deborah O'Neill noted, “It is clear the recovery has been patchy and that issues remain. This report makes a number of recommendations to strengthen the visitor economy and make it more resilient to future shocks. Throughout the inquiry we kept coming back to two key areas with enormous opportunity, if key barriers can be reduced: First Nations tourism and regional tourism.”
The inquiry has recommended establishing a national First Nations tourism body and reviewing the First Nations Visitor Economy Strategy, as well as continuing grant programs to support First Nations tourism businesses. 
It also recommends the government help promote the development of regional accommodation and attractions, prioritise regional transport and infrastructure improvements and allow affordable regional air access, whilst ensuring training providers improve access for regional tourism operators. It also recommends the Federal Government collaborate with the states to promote regional tourism, nature-based tourism and disability inclusion.

Read the full report and recommendations here. 

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit was held in Perth this week, bringing together international government representatives, tourism leaders, investors and media to discuss global tourism.
The three-day conference was headlined by John Kerry, who served as US Secretary of State from 2013-2017 under the administration of former President Barack Obama. Alongside Secretary Kerry was Australian environmentalist and television personality Robert Irwin.
A host of other high-profile speakers shared their insights and experiences across the three days, including TripAdvisor CEO Matt Goldberg, Trip.com CEO Jane Sun, American Express Travel President Audrey Hendley and Intrepid Travel CEO James Thornton.

​Skål International Perth, supported by Tourism Western Australia, has launched a mentoring program for tourism and hospitality young professionals.
Over six months, the mentees will have the opportunity to learn from mentors who will pass on their expertise about the industry, inspire new talent, and make a meaningful, lasting impact. 
​More information can be found here

Western Australia's largest network of mountain bike trails has officially opened following the completion of 47 kilometres of tracks in Wellington National Park near Collie. Riders now have almost 100 kilometres of national park trails to explore in Collie's Wambenger Trails network.
The newly expanded trails cater for experienced and competition riders, complementing the previously completed beginner trails near Wellington Dam.
The new trails are helping to transform Collie into a world-class trail destination that can attract local, national and international tourists. A new bike hire outlet has opened in Wellington National Park to support the trails.
​More information on the Wambenger Trails is available here.

The Australian Government’s ‘Choose Tourism’ program administered by Austrade, has launched five ‘Tourism workforce diversity in action’ videos.
The five short films offer real-life examples of how employing people with a disability and older Australians can benefit tourism businesses and staff.
​Watch the Videos

The 30th anniversary of the WA Training Awards last Friday night showcased the incredible talents of the creative and leisure industries, with contributions from photographers, caterers, live technicians, event planners, student florists, hairdressers, beauticians, radio hosts, and performers. Our industries played a key role in making the event a spectacular celebration of training excellence.
Highlights from the night include:

• North Metropolitan TAFE students delivering event coordination support
• South Metropolitan TAFE students creating stunning floral displays throughout the venue and on tables
• 600 individually wrapped cookies, baked by South Metropolitan TAFE students, as table favours
• BOOM Radio, a TAFE student-run station, broadcasting live from the event, interviewing winners and special guests like Minister for Training Simone McGurk
• WA Academy, a private RTO, operating a beauty bar, with Taylorweir Hairdressing and Barbering students offering hair styling for attendees

In addition to these student contributions, the event was powered by a talented team of photographers, DJs, graphic designers, caterers, audio-visual specialists, media representatives, and MC Tina Altieri, creating a memorable and inspiring night.

The State Government has introduced the Industrial Relations Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 into State Parliament, aimed at modernising the State industrial relations system.
The Bill will amend the Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 to increase the loading for casual workers on the minimum wage to 25 percent. This will bring Western Australia into line with the national system.
The reforms will enshrine a prohibition on sexual harassment at work in State employment laws and establish new pathways to resolve sexual harassment disputes. This legislation also introduces a fit and proper person test for union officials to obtain a State right of entry permit.

Read Minister McGurk's full media statement here.

Music Australia, the dedicated body established under Creative Australia to support and invest in Australian contemporary music, has launched a new funding initiative designed to support Australian labels, from local independents through to major label Australian subsidiaries that are actively discovering, developing, and promoting local talent. 
Offering grants up to $150,000, the Music Australia Record Label Development Scheme (RLDS) will support eligible record labels committed to the growth and success of Australian recording artists. Grants are available from $10,000 to $150,000 to eligible Australian record labels, and Australian subsidiaries of multinational record labels, that have been operating for a minimum of 3 years.  

​Learn more here and here.