Can Perth become Australia’s Gateway to the World?
– Opinion –
Right time. Right place. – We just need the right strategy and attitude.
Perth could become Australia’s gateway to the rest of the world – to Asia, Africa and Europe – if we play our cards right and make bold moves now.
Perth’s unique position on the west coast of the Island Continent, and rapid changes in technology and trade, places us at a historically significant opportunity in time.
With new advances in air travel and stunning economic growth to our north, Perth is in a perfect strategic position to become Australia’s gateway to the world.
I would go as far to suggest that Perth could become as popular a destination for international visitors and investors in the following decades, as Sydney is now.
A coalition of businesses, government, tourism and individuals should come together to market, connect and open Perth to the surrounding regions of the Indian Ocean, Asia and toward Europe. The benefits for jobs, wealth creation, a more sustainable economy and an open, cosmopolitan way-of-life will be profound.
Squabbling over the details must be put aside for the greater good.
Perth – Gateway to Australia from the West
As you may know, there’s currently commercial negotiations underway between Qantas and Perth Airport, with interventions by the WA government and captains of industry, regarding long-haul flights.
Qantas is suggesting they want to begin direct long-haul flights, with Boeing 787 jets, between London and Perth in early 2018. This is an opportunity for Perth to become the primary port-of-call for European business and leisure travellers to Australia.
In fact, conceivably, Perth could indeed become a major airport hub for flights from the north and the west.
Other European, Middle Eastern, Asian and African airlines should be allowed to make Perth their Australian hub – the place to come first for the greater Asia-Pacific region.
The economic benefits of long-haul flights to Perth are estimated to be around $650 million a year and as many as 7000 jobs. This is just the start.
Just as Los Angeles is to Asia-Pacific region travellers visiting the western hemisphere (North, South, Central America and the Caribbean) – Perth could become that city for European region travellers coming to the Asia-Pacific Region.
The potential economic benefits are worth many billions for Perth over the decades, if we can get this right. Other airlines should also be encouraged to join in.
The Australian Federal and WA Government should seize the day on this. The opposition political parties should also apply pressure.
A bi-partisan approach to the issue should be canvassed at State and Canberra level in the coming days and weeks, pushing Perth Airport and Qantas into an agreement – and making sure we leave the door open for other international carriers to supply the Europe to Perth route.
But it’s not just about long-haul flights… Let’s start the conversation about Perth’s future.
How to Make Perth Australia’s Gateway to the World:
The Asian Connection
Meanwhile, our location to and connections to Asia will continue to be vital and significant to Perth’s future.
Singapore is a closer flight to Perth than Sydney or Melbourne. In fact, wealthy Singaporeans have treated Perth as a long-weekend playground for years. The same goes for flights to Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur. The growth of ASEAN nations is the connection we need to develop a sustainable, more diverse local economy – more jobs and a higher living standard for the future.
Perth’s investment and economic connections to South-East Asia are significant and growing. Our links to China, South Korea and Japan will continue to define our economic prosperity as well. It’s about the future of Australia as much as Perth.
The challenge to our future comes down to building the relationships, networks and connections to these fast growing economic Tigers (and Tiger Cubs) – giving the best opportunities for investment into infrastructure, tourism and hospitality, education and exports in consumer products and services – that lead to more wealth creation and opportunities, and ensuring that everyone benefits.
With the mining resource sector facing huge challenges in the years ahead.
Perth has to plan for future growth now and to insulate the economy from a potential downturn in demand for raw materials.
The lucky country syndrome of ‘she’ll be right’ isn’t the attitude. We’ve experienced nearly 25-years of non-stop or near continuous economic growth in Australia, but the signs of slowdown are here. Let’s try make it to 50-years of growth.
Government, community and the private sector must act. The time to make this happen is now.
Moving Beyond a Mining Town
Perth’s history is defined by mining booms. The gold rush of the 1800’s to the commodities super-cycle of the 2000’s – Perth has benefited thanks to Western Australia’s vast mineral, oil and gas wealth.
Now, with those industries working hard in the background (but without the crazy mining boom conditions) – it’s time we turn to other areas for more sustainable economic growth – new and old.
Build it and they will come
Tourism is going to be vital to the future of Perth. Huge investments in destination marketing need to be made, including utilising digital and social media marketing, PR and traditional media engagement across the world. Perth’s boom in hotels and tech platforms like Airbnb, positions Perth with the infrastructure needs for travellers for the next decades – we just need to get them here.
Education is another underrated area where we can improve and growth. There’s huge potential to help Western Australia move out of the reliance on the boom and busts of mining resources with the demand for Australian University education from Asia.
Millions of students from the Asia-Pacific and other regions should be coming to Western Australia for their education.
More private Universities should be encouraged to set up in Western Australia to service the demand. Towns in our regions and outer suburbs should become ‘College Towns’ – build around an eduction export economy, much like many US cities and towns, creating thousands of new jobs and economic growth for those in parts of the city underemployed or suffering from low wages and low mobility.
Agriculture is also a huge area of prosperity and future growth. Mining magnates like Andrew Forrest and Gine Rinehart have recognised this, investing millions into agriculture and this is a good sign.
Let’s use our location to Asian export markets to consider how we develop High-End Manufacturing export businesses. Let’s talk about renewable technology, solar and wind technology. Lets leverage our proximity to lithium mines to build battery manufacturing centres (this is starting to happen). Let’s think bigger!
Western Australia could be making Electric Vehicles (EVs) from cars to trucks to buses, right here, right now. We have access to the raw materials, skilled labor and talent. All we need now is bold vision and leadership.
Let’s make sure our high-skilled workers are rewarded with good pay and conditions – let’s set up training school for kids, and attract the best talent from overseas. Let’s make sure we advertise Australian made products as the ‘best of the best’ – let’s take German head on in this market.
Australia should be inviting Consumer /B2B Technology experts and entrepreneurs to come to Perth. Silicon Valley is California’s technology centre. Let’s make Silicon Beach the Australian equivalent.
Let’s leverage our extraordinary lifestyle and standards of living and encourage tech geniuses from Asia, the US and elsewhere to set up shop in Perth. Our talents in coding and web/app development are all here, we need to find more opportunities to tap into that great talent, and connect it to more startups and profitable ideas that can be scaled.
Finally, let’s do more to encourage Global Corporations to set up regional HQ’s – not in Singapore or Hong Kong – but in Perth. Let’s think about strategies to foster a high-end services economy, of financial, legal, accounting and corporate support professionals – serving the Asia-Pacific marketplace. The world’s economic growth is here in our region.
Thinking about what matters most…
Let’s make a play for these sectors. These aren’t pipe dreams, they’re here already. Forward thinking, big ideas leadership and acknowledgement from the government, private sector and general public is needed. If we don’t start to move this way, Perth is certainly doomed to the whims of the mining boom and gloom for generations to come.
And let’s not forget, to consider how we preserve our unique environment. One of the great advantages of Perth is the incredible natural beauty, aquatic life and flora and fauna.
We must remember that the surrounding eco-system is fragile. We must always consider how our decisions impact our future. We must always recall and always acknowledge that the original inhabitants of this region, how they protected and cared for the land as if it was part of them. We must make sure those ancient stories and knowledge are passed on. We must remember that our prosperity is directly linked to sustainability and preservation of natural resources and our relatives in the animal kingdom. We must remember that social cohesion, inclusiveness and intellectual curiosity must be at the heart of our decision-making and the qualities we must ensure are instilled in our leaders.
Perth’s place in the future is bright. We just have to play our cards right, and play the hand now. Perth can become Australia’s gateway to the world.
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