THE state budget paper says $7.4 million will be spent to boost Swan Valley and Perth Hills tourism despite the ABC’s election promise tracker showing $18.4m was pledged back in March.

The 2025-26 budget paper does not make it clear where the extra $11m in funding commitments had gone.

The economic and fiscal outlook budget paper shows the amount allocated over four years under the major spending changes since the 2024-25 pre-election financial projections statement.

Under the election commitments for tourism, $1.6m is allocated for 2025-26, while $4.2m is projected for the following year with $1.1m and $0.5m projected for the two years after that.

The budget paper states $7.4m would be spent over the forward estimates to deliver new tourism attractions and undertake marketing activities in the Swan Valley and Perth Hills.

“New attractions include a mega mural in Pickering Brook, a sculpture trail, and a soft adventure attraction,” it stated.

On March 1, West Swan MLA Rita Saffioti posted on her official Facebook page about the WA Labor party’s tourism package for Swan Valley and Perth Hills.

The post stated the Cook Government would deliver tourism attractions in the area as well as liquor reforms to support hospitality operators.

Included in the package was a mega mural and outdoors activity attraction in Pickering Brook, a sculpture trail in Swan Valley, a Swan River clean-up, allowing venues to trade on Good Friday, Christmas Day and Anzac Day and upgrades for Bells Rapid footbridge.

Brigadoon residents were concerned the state of Bells Rapid footbridge would not be suitable to safely accommodate visitors during the upcoming Avon Descent as reported in Community vigilance leads to Bells Rapids footbridge repairs (Echo News, May 9).

The liquor reforms would allow people to buy a drink without a meal at pubs and other venues on Good Friday and Christmas Day and increase trading hours until midnight.

In regard to liquor reforms, Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia said they aimed to modernise and simplify liquor laws to be more cost-effective, relevant and efficient so the hospitality scene continued to grow and thrive.

“The reforms are the result of extensive consultation with the industry as well as agencies and community groups involved in harm minimisation,” he said.

“The changes will also make it cheaper and easier for liquor, hospitality and tourism operators to do business.”

Meanwhile, the WA budget overview says $21m has been committed to unlocking natural tourism attractions in the regions.

During her speech on the state budget, Ms Saffioti said the tourism boost had been allocated and referred to the boost for the regions as well.

However, she did not attach a figure to the amount allocated to the Swan Valley and Perth Hills.

“New dedicated funds to support and market tourism in the Swan Valley and Perth Hills have also been allocated, together with another $21m in the outdoor adventure package, bringing our total investment to $186m,” she said.

Tourism Minister Reece Whitby, Opposition Tourism spokesperson Scott Leary and former Tourism minister Rita Saffioti have been contacted for comment.