Govt broke tourism promise: Opposition

WA Labor says the State Government has promoted foreign and interstate products at the expense of locally produced food at the Margaret River Gourmet Escape.

Shadow Tourism Minister Paul Papalia said today the Barnett Government spent $2.58million funding British promotions company Brand Events to run the South West’s premier gourmet food event instead of using WA promoters.

He said most products showcased at the Escape were from interstate or overseas and high rates for event branding rights that meant prime positions went to visiting producers.

“The Barnett Government has broken a key election promise to increase tourism marketing by $22million and now appears to have lost any interest in promoting WA products at taxpayer-funded events,” Mr Papalia said.”