❓ Mrs. Clarke asks about the economic impact of the AFC Women's Asian Cup. Ms. Saffioti highlights the event's contribution to tourism, hospitality, and increased women's participation in football, while also digressing into a political jab.

AFC Women's Asian Cup86.Mrs Lorna Clarketo theMinister for Sport and Recreation:I refer to the Cook Labor government's commitment to investing in major events of all types as part of its ongoing efforts to diversify the Western Australian economy. Can the minister update the house on the upcoming AFC Women's Asian Cup, and can the minister advise what events like these mean to the WA economy?

Ms Rita Saffioti replied:I thank the member for Butler for that question. Of course, one of the key planks of our diversification strategy is to continue to support the tourism sector and host major events. We saw the incredible success of State of Origin just a couple of weeks ago in terms of visitation, the boost to hospitality and the activation that happened all around the state. Of course, we will be a key host of the AFC Women's Asian Cup, starting on Sunday with Australia versus the Philippines. We are hosting an incredible array of countries here in Western Australia, including India, Vietnam and Japan—some of the strongest soccer playing, or football playing, teams in the world. It is going to be an incredible event. Of course, these women's events in particular are all about making sure we not only host internationally brilliant teams, but also support participation. We have seen, in particular in the world of football, up to a 50% increase in participation over three years, particularly women's participation.The other very exciting news this weekend is that WA will be hosting the Perth Lynx on Sunday as well. Should they win tonight, and we hope they do, it will be a grand final on Sunday. If they win, they will be winning the grand final. It has already sold out at the Perth High Performance Centre, so again it will a big Sunday for women's sport in WA.As well as other major sporting events, we have this major event that we alluded to yesterday—Reset the West on 6 March. They will be very hot tickets. We are considering a joint ticketing arrangement with the Public Transport Authority to allow people to get there for free as well to listen to Andrew Hastie and the Leader of the Opposition reclaim the west! The question is: Which Leader of the Opposition will turn up that day? Even the Liberal Party website has two Leaders of the Opposition. So, which Leader of the Opposition will turn up? Will it be the party-loving, Coachella-loving, net zero–embracing member for Churchlands, or will it be the conservative, climate change–denying, migration-hating—Point of orderSeveral members interjected.The Speaker:Members! Minister! Points of order will be heard in silence.Mr Shane Love:I would like to inquire whether you consider this is relevant to the question that was actually asked. This answer is drifting well away from women's sport.The Speaker:I will not uphold that point of order, member. The minister will start to conclude her comments, please.Questions without notice resumedMs Rita Saffioti:It is a major event. I am not sure how many people will be visiting from interstate and overseas—Several members interjected.Ms Rita Saffioti:It is not a major event, but they are talking about it as if it is. We cannot wait to see which Leader of the Opposition turns up for that event. Is it the climate change embracer? Is it the net zero denier? Which one is it?Our events strategy is all about making sure that we continue to support jobs and activation and encourage our young people to be out there not only enjoying the community, but also playing sport. AFC Women's Asian Cup