❓ A WA parliamentary question investigates a Department of Environment trip to European waxflower growing sites, querying its funding, purpose, and relevance to WA's interests. The Minister provides details on the trip's funding by Helix Australia, the sites visited, and justifies the trip's relevance to WA's waxflower export industry.

I refer to the Report on Overseas Air Travel for the 3 months to 31 December 2024 and a trip by D Growns from 29 September to 12 October 2024 to Spain, Turkey, Portugal and Italy to visit European waxflower growing sites. Can the Minister advise:(a) Why there is no cost associated with this trip;(b) Which party paid for this trip and how much;(c) What specific sites were visited and on what dates;(d) Were other cities and or sites visited, on what dates and for what purposes;(e) What is the relevance of visiting waxflower growing sites in Europe for a Western Australian context; and(f) Was a report submitted to the department on the outcome of this visit:(i) If so, can it be tabled; and(ii) If not, why not?

(a) Cost associated with this trip were funded by industry. (b) Helix Australia totalling $8992.02. (c) Specific sites visited and dates: (i) Valencia, Spain 30/09/2024 - 2/10/2024; 4/10/2024 - 5/10/2024 (ii) LaPacheca region, Spain 2/10/2024 - 4/10/2024 (iii) Antalya, Turkey 05/10/2024 - 09/10/2024 (iv) Pescia, Italy 09/10/2024 - 11/10/2024 (d)    Yes, for the purposes of transit: (i) London 30/09/24; (ii) Istanbul 5/10/2024 and 9/10/2024; (iii) Rome 9/10/2024 and 11/10/2024; and (iv) Doha 11-12/10/2024. (e) Visiting waxflower growing sites in Europe is directly relevant to Western Australia’s economic, scientific and horticultural interests. Waxflower (Chamelaucium) is endemic to Western Australia and represents a high-value export. Europe represents a significant and growing commercial market for both cut-flower and ornamental pot-plant production. (f) Yes. A report on the outcome of the visit was submitted to the Department. (i) No. (ii) The report cannot be tabled as it contains commercially sensitive information relating to Western Australian-developed intellectual property, market strategies and prospective partnerships, where disclosure could prejudice the State’s commercial interests.