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[WA] 3,400 'Gifts from Western Australia' Two-Person Vouchers from $150 to $2200 on Arrival At Perth Airport @ WA Government

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  • More than $500,000 of vouchers for local tours and experiences on offer
  • 'Gifts From Western Australia' campaign encourages visitors to support WA tourism operators and boost local economy as border opens
  • Promotion begins March 3, including 1,000 vouchers for international students
  • Follows the four business support packages the McGowan Government has launched since December, with business assistance throughout the pandemic now over $1.6 billion

More than $500,000 worth of free tourism vouchers will be handed out at Perth Airport this week to welcome interstate and international arrivals - providing a major boost to local tourism operators as borders ease.

The McGowan Government promotion, through Tourism WA, will begin after midnight on March 3 and encourage visitors to support local tour and experience businesses during their trip to Western Australia.

The campaign will provide 3,400 'Gifts From Western Australia' two-person vouchers, ranging in value from $150 to $2,200 for a three-day tour of Margaret River.

The vouchers offer tourism experiences from about 20 different operators, including skydiving at Rottnest Island, swimming with dolphins or touring Penguin Island, as well as sunset stargazing at the Pinnacles.

The giveaway includes 1,000 vouchers for StudyPerth to target to international students.

Tourism WA is also delivering 200 toy quokkas to Qantas to be distributed on the first flights from Sydney and Melbourne, promoting Rottnest Island and 'The World's Happiest Animal' to WA arrivals.

WA's full border opening will allow for safe travel from interstate and overseas from 12.01am March 3, with vaccination and testing requirements on arrival - the softest landing off the back of WA's world-leading vaccination rate.

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  • +5

    I think the point people are missing is that this is to help local businesses, the government doesn't need the money. The tourism sector did not close the border, tour operators didn't chose to lose their businesses to keep covid out.

    • +4

      Local businesses voted for McGowan en masse and in Feb this year many vocally opposed the reopening of the state.

      WA said loud and clear easterners weren't welcomed - so like many others I'll be spending my money elsewhere.

      • +6

        Covid wasn't welcome but you put the divisive spin on it if you like. The opposition choice WA had was some guy who hadn't been in politics for 5 mins so maybe that was a contributing factor in the votes.

        • +3

          If you are talking about Zak Kirkup - only the people of Dawesville got to decide not to vote for him.
          Everyone else voted for their local candidates.
          And Zak had been in parliament for four years by the election - but he was absolutely sent like a lamb to the slaughter.

          • +2

            @Almost Banned: Yeah that's right he had no exposure and no chance really. Brave or stupid guy.

            • @Spendmore: I think he had a pretty good idea of what he was signing onto - but what was the alternative?
              No-one wanted the job. Liza was probably even less popular, Nalder would have been a disaster, as would any of the others. Mettam might have been the best of them - but they were all on a hiding to nothing.
              Someone had to step up, and I guess Zak thought he had to take on the world's worst job.

      • -3

        Everyone voted for McGowan because he paid $600 to every household in the form of electricity bill credit. McGowan knows how to do the business and trust me, this move of him will attract tourists.

        • +1

          Easy tiger - not everyone - Iv never voted labor in my life but i did happily accept the 600 off my power bill.

          • +3

            @HsvPete: Not sure that is something to be proud of.

            • +1

              @perf: Might not be - but i can live in hope reminiscing on the Howard days…

  • -7

    Border isn't open. G2G still exists and they expect triple vac. Australia was founded on the concept of open borders between states and territories.

    Federal government and courts really needs to step in to sort out the complete infringement of human rights and breach of Constitution that the dictator of WA has created.

    • +6

      Arguing the Constitution has been breached is so 2021. Please do try to keep up.

    • +3

      There is provision in the constitution for the states to restrict movement between themselves. Whether this fits in with what actually happened is probably not so clear. I reckon some of the states pushed the boundary of this provision.

      • +2

        Actually the constitution provides that interstate commerce shall be absolutely free. Not just free - but absolutely free.
        However the geniuses in our High Court decided that the clear language of the constitution does not mean what it appears to mean, so carved out an exception for things like pandemics.

        • +7

          I dare say the High Court has a better understanding of Law and the constitution then you do.

          • +2

            @Aureus: Oh dear, constitutional discussion about the degree of freedom that states are able to institute on commercial interactions..

            This is getting dangerously close to Clive Palmer territory!

          • @Aureus: Than

            • +1

              @Almost Banned: I am a sovereign citizen. Grammar rules don't apply to me. Read the constitution.

    • Clive Palmer is that you?

  • +35

    Man, it's times like these I wish I had more downvotes available..
    How many people here have been infected with covid? How many people have had to isolate for week/month long periods? How many people know someone who was hospitalised with covid and was at risk of dying? Guess what, none of these things have happened to me in the past 2 years - Why? Because McGowan has had the balls to keep the people of his state safe, even when they have more recently begun to grow extremely frustrated with him for having done so. We're all sorry if it's meant you haven't been able to attend your third cousin twice removed's pet donkey's bachelorette party - But is it our fault that your gutless premiers (see: Gladys) haven't been as courageous/successful at keeping their states relatively virus-free? No. So get over yourselves.

    • +14

      Well said! Even the COVID wave here will be better due to the handling of the borders. Time will tell anyway when we are past this and we can look at the figures.

    • +16

      Isn't it interesting that they act like they have actually achieved something by letting it rip and conveniently forget that public services ground to a halt in their states and 20+ people are still dying each day in hospital. Gotta make themselves fell better about the last couple of years I suppose.

      • +1

        Public services ground to a halt? News to me

    • +4

      Yep, and now we've been vaccinated, we will see high numbers but hopefully small hospitalisation rates and smaller death rates.

    • +3

      We're all sorry if it's meant you haven't been able to attend your third cousin twice removed's pet donkey's bachelorette party

      I'm sure the people who couldn't see a family member before they died or attend their funeral appreciate your sincere apology. I'm sure the families who were seperated and stuck interstate because they couldn't get home, including young children will gain comfort in your concern.

      • +4

        Okay that's good, I'm glad they appreciate it.
        What about the people who would've not been able to attend the funerals of the family members who died as a direct result of being infected by the spread of the virus that would've erupted if we'd simply flung the borders open in the manner that you seem to desire?
        I'm sorry, but people NOT dying has to be a higher priority than people not being able to see family before they die. That's literally all it comes down to.

        • if we'd simply flung the borders open in the manner that you seem to desire?

          Where did i say that in my arguments for showing compassion? You are assuming and couldn't be more wrong. The rest of your argument is mute.

        • +1

          @9monkeyman9 Spot on.

      • +1

        And im sure all the people who didn't have to see a family member die from covid are grateful of the reverse. "You should be at risk of death so I can attend a funeral" is such a stupid reason for opening up.

        • +1

          I saw people miss the shutting of the Victorian border to NSW due to being a couple of hours late on the deadline to get back. Not allowed in even though they were coming from a place in NSW where there had not yet been a covid case. They were treated terribly by their own government and even locals were fearful of outsiders. Governments have done a great job selling fear and showing no compassion or flexibility.

      • +2

        We have been depart from our family overseas the whole time. It has been hard. But neither we nor our family would have it any other way if it meant endangering others. My mum is in a country that "let it rip". Every time I'd talk to her during the worst spikes in deaths, she would say "I'm so glad you are safely over there - it is terrible here".

        • +2

          I've missed seeing family in my own state, partly because of lockdowns and partly because we made decisions for the benefit of our health and others.

    • The people of NSW have had quite a time. We either get locked down over 3 cases or the government doesn't give a shit about COVID.

    • -1

      see: Gladys

      Another party shill just lookin’ out for Labor

      • +2

        Or I just don't like my state premiers being blatantly corrupt? Just a small thing to ask of them, surely?

  • +15

    Wow a lot of anti-WA sentiment here. People seem to forget we are Aussies too who haven't been able to see our families and friends overeast and overseas. My partner I met in the UK was supposed to come over on a visa two years ago and I still haven't been able to see her.

  • -2

    As always, Mark McGowan for Next Prime minister of Australia… !

    • Definitely not, don't want the dictator as PM

  • +1

    I thought McGowan was going to build a border wall with all the dough to form his own country

    • +4

      You though wrong.

    • +3

      The dough mostly went to other states. We still get to keep far less GST than other states, but most people over east don't seem to be aware of this.

      • +2

        Yeah and all the big bucks earned in Kalgoorlie get paid as tax in Perth. That’s the reality of Government.

  • +25

    Don't know why so many WA haters
    We didn't spread the virus to other states, we didn't lockdown your city. A lot of kindness medical staff in WA went to other cities help when we have 0 cases.
    I remember someone laugh at McGowan when he lockdown WA for 3 days just because a few cases, Guess what? They lady who laughed, she then lockdown her city for months afterward.
    WA residents thanks the WA kindness medical staffs went to help our friends in eastern states. We don't have to spread the hate, we are all Australian.

    • -6

      When you spend two years consistently sending a message that you do not consider yourself part of the same country, locking them out and calling them infested, are you really surprised when they decide you don't want them to come and reciprocate the feeling?

      • +4

        I believe the purpose of closed boarder just to stop the spread of virus. Even within a state (WA or eastern), i think they all have boarder within a state before, and I didn't know anyone say infested. Don't listen to media that spread hateness within Australia.

      • +3

        calling them infested,

        Got a link for that?

      • +5

        When you spend two years consistently sending a message that you do not consider yourself part of the same country

        Are you able to point to when this was ever said or written? It certainly sounds like the bitter interpretation of someone who disagrees with what they've heard/read.

        • Looks and smells a lot like tinfoil hat talk if you ask me.

    • +9

      It's called being sore losers. The handling of the pandemic in most other states is most accurately described as "blood bath". And all the while, large amounts of money from the only economy in the green helped sustain them. WA's resources sector made up 56% of Australia's export last year. Imagine how Australia would have fared without that, while all their businesses were shut during endless lockdowns.

      • West Australians always love taking personal credit for metals in the Pilbara. They have as much claim to them as the entire nation does.

        • +2

          Which is why so much of the money collected goes to the rest of the nation…!

          By your logic, can we get a bit more of your GST please? We have as much right to money earned by Australians as you do, given we're in the same country. Right?

          • +2

            @Make it so: The question is why do ‘all Westralians’ have a right to the taxes paid on minerals extracted by 5% of the population, and ‘all Australians’ don’t have the right to taxes paid on minerals extracted within a state which represents 10% of the population?

            West Australia has spend 60 of the last 80 years on the commonwealth teat, it’s a bit rich to complain about GST when you’re running a $6 billion surplus.

          • @Make it so: WA is that guy who is always around for beers, but when its his turn to shout "woosh".

            https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-15/jericho-western-austr…

  • +1

    3400 X 150=510,000.So almost everyone will end up with $150 voucher.

  • +3

    Trying to entice tourists back with a voucher lottery of sorts hmmm… no thanks.

    • +4

      The natural beauty of one third of Australia is enticement enough.

  • +5

    Really want to see the new museum in Perth, it's meant to be a cracker !

    • -4

      You'll have to show proof of vaccination to enter the musuem, wear a mask while inside (assuming they don't lock things down further), and have your G2G to get into the State.

      • +5

        Are you not vaccinated or something? It takes 2 seconds to show your proof of vaccination and wearing a mask is not a big deal. I don't remember people getting upset when they were asked to show ID at the bottle shop or to wear shoes and shirt to be able to go to the pub.

        • Don't remember ever being asked for my medical history at the pub.
          Maybe a cirrhosis clearance might be required.
          However, my post was simply a public service announcement for people from other states who do not have similar restrictions.

          • +1

            @Almost Banned: Didnt you get the message?

            WA doesn't want you either, Novac.

            • @arcticmonkey: Novak, or Novax - either might have made some sense. Novac makes none. I live in Perth genius.
              Good old Ozbargain - you tell people the factual requirements to enter the museum and get 6 downvotes… I can't tell if they are downvoting the restrictions, or my comment.

              • @Almost Banned: You startled the sheep with that trigger word… you should know the psyop campaign they ran on us.
                Here allow me to demostrate how to startle them…

                You won't even be able to go in to the Perth Mint (one of the 2 attractions in WA) to buy gold or silver to prep for the upcoming financial collapse if you don't show proof you've been medically expermiented on.

                All factual, however watch the reaction.

                • @raybies: My only reaction is - please turn on your spell checker. 👍

                  • @jackspratt: If I turn on the spell checker then Google will know what I'm typing.

      • +1

        Thanks for the heads up

  • +2

    We all know hospitality has been suffered a lot and giving away targeted "gifts" to those who are actually travelling and going to spend is a great incentive. None of this BS "give $250" to parents with kids that the NSW government is doing.

  • +4

    These new 'Gifts From Western Australia' vouchers will be handed out at random to lucky arrivals to WA at Perth Airport from midnight tonight – and we’re throwing in 200 toy quokkas for the first flights from Sydney and Melbourne to promote Rottnest Island.

    https://www.facebook.com/MarkMcGowanMP/posts/509793117176205

    It's a competition not a deal

    • -1

      yup so should be in competitions, and "targete" as it only applies to those who are travelling to WA

  • Given the contempt with which McGowan has treated the rest of Australians he could offer 100% free accommodation/dining vouchers and I still would not be enticed

    • +8

      We here in WA will certainly miss your sunny disposition and winning attitude. What a shame.

      • +1

        Quote from my family in WA, 'we live free of covid (prior to cases), but we are not free at all'

        • +2

          Are they in Casurina?

        • I feel terrible that Covid has been an inconvenience for your family.

    • +1

      Alright Sky News calm down lmfao

  • +3

    I can't have any trust that if I do plan a holiday in WA, rules won't be changed ruining the plans made. Safer to book a holiday locally, to nsw, or even to america.

    I'd go if I had family there, but for a holiday, it's just not a reliable choice unfortunately.

  • +2

    This comment section really shows who still reads the paper.

    • +1

      SMH makes me SMH 🤦

  • +1

    The state with the highest vaccination rate yet the most restrictions. It’s a riot here.

    • +1

      This post is about WA not ACT. Also we have hardly any restrictions in Canberra.

  • +1

    So about the only people going there is for family/work and the some of the poor buggers are getting vouchers that they don't use
    Hence most will go to the bin and not be used not supporting the tourism businesses they were designed for .
    Great competition ?

  • -5

    I was born in WA and own property there and yet I effectively need a visa to return there. I'm an Australian citizen, I should be able to travel wherever I please without seeking permission from any State government. This is not a deal for me.

    • Lockdown is worse than hard boarder if you talking about freedom.
      Can you see or hug the sick patient because of COVID? Where is their freedom?
      Many states took your freedom away more than WA.

  • +1

    Why people quarrel so much now a days in Oz bargain 😭

  • No Chance, I saw what his border policy has done first hand to family members (not affecting me directly). Ill spend my money in NSW especially now the floods have hurt a lot of local communities.
    I thought WA doesnt need the rest of Australia. And i think you need to be double jabbed with every vaccine available to enter.

    • +1

      Not every vaccine, but you know that.

      I am sure WA will be sad to miss out on the anti-vax tourist market.

      • +1

        Canberra has cornered that market.

  • And in preparation for the opening to the Easterners, Uncle Mark has organised for them to have a bath. Thanks mate!

  • Is there a specific link up yet to apply for this?

    • +1

      I'm guessing there won't be.

      free tourism vouchers will be handed out at Perth Airport this week

      • Damn so it for ppl who already have plans to visit there this week lol

  • i got some penguin boat tour thing. yay

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