❓ A WA parliamentary question scrutinizes overseas travel for market sounding related to the RAC Arena management rights tender, questioning the necessity and scope of international engagement versus local options. The Minister's response defends the practice and highlights the existing contract.

I refer to the Report on Overseas Air Travel for the 3 months to 31 December 2024 and two trips associated with market sounding for the tender of the management rights at RAC Arena. Can the Minister advise:(a) Why did S Lyon travel to the USA from 7 November to 11 November 2024 at a cost of $9,443 to conduct market sounding for management rights at RAC Arena;(b) Why did D Etherton travel to the United Kingdom on 10 November at a cost of $15,811 to conduct market sounding for management rights at RAC Arena;(c) Why is the Government conducting overseas market sounding discussions for management rights at RAC Arena;(d) Are market sounding discussions taking place with Western Australian and Australian entities:(i) If so, who and when; and(ii) If not, why not;(e) What were the outcomes of the market sounding discussions overseas;(f) Are any other overseas entities being engaged in market sounding discussions for management rights to RAC Arena;(g) When do the current arrangements for management rights at RAC Arena expire;(h) Who currently holds these rights; and(i) Are discussions taking placed with the current entity to continue with these management rights:(i) If so, when and with who;(ii) If not, why not; and(iii) Is the Government satisfied with the existing entity that has the management rights at RAC Arena?

(a)-(i)   International travel is not an uncommon feature of professional industries. I note the trip to Houston undertaken by the Leader of the Opposition in his former role as Lord Mayor as one such example. More recently, the member for Cottesloe’s trip to London could also be used as an example. The management rights for RAC Arena are held by Legends Global and expire on 30 June 2026. To ensure the best value for money for Western Australians, international interest was canvassed to inform the Government’s understanding of global operating models and to encourage competitive responses to the tender for management of RAC Arena. VenuesWest has publicly advertised and sought interest from management companies to take on the operational management and content programming of RAC Arena through a robust procurement process overseen by an external probity auditor.