WA Prime Minister Mark McGowan has said his first assignment on his “historic” trip to Rome will be a “Peroni” on the famous Spanish Steps.
McGowan made the comments hours before departing with Qantas chief Alan Joyce on the first direct flight from Perth to Rome.
The Prime Minister will depart for the UK from Italy as part of his Reconnect WA Tour, and Deputy Prime Minister Roger Cook.
“This is a historical event. The first direct flight to continental Europe departing from Western Australia,” said Mr. McGowan from Perth Airport.
Camera IconQanats CEO Alan Joyce and Prime Minister Mark McGowan with their boarding pass. Credit: Jackson Flindell/The West Australian
“It means that for the first time ever, our state and country will be merged with continental Europe, and we will have the ability to bring people from Europe to WA and provide the opportunity for Western Australians, especially those of Italian descent, to go. Home to see their family.”
Newlyweds Meagan and Jarred Briotti were passengers on the first flight to Rome.
Mr. Briotti is the founder of Suit Vault and has dressed some of the sport’s biggest names, including Ben Cousins and the Western Bulldogs AFL team for the 2021 Brownlow Medal tally in Crown Perth.
The couple, who married last November, postponed their honeymoon until they could travel abroad.
“We booked this holiday in July 2020, but when COVID hit, we lost our flights and accommodation. We have rebooked for this year’s European summer,’ said Mrs. Briotti.
“We haven’t left Australia since we went to Bali at the end of 2019, so we’re really excited.”
The newlyweds have been to Rome, so they head straight up the Amalfi Coast before traveling to Sardinia and Milan.
“We are looking forward to escaping the winter and spending some time in the Italian sun,” said Ms. Briotti.
McGowan said he believed the direct flight would be “very successful”.
“I understand the bookings have been very strong,” he said.
“We want to sell our state and make sure our state has a prominent presence in Europe.”
McGowan said he would try to recruit as many foreign workers as possible.
“We will be holding forums, meetings, and events, especially in Ireland, to promote the state to attract people who are health professionals and traders in areas we need,” the Prime Minister said.
“I will also meet banks and the people who buy our bonds as treasurer of Western Australia.
“That is traditional. After every budget, you will do that.
“While in Italy, I will meet with some of the investors and construction companies who work here and some of the people who invest in some of our mining projects to discuss further investments in our state.”
After landing in Rome, the Premier’s first event will be a cocktail function on the Spanish Steps.
Mr. McGowan yesterday announced plans to make WA the western hub for much of the world with direct routes to Johannesburg and Jakarta, announced on Friday, in addition to the direct Perth-Rome flight.
Camera icon Honeymoon couple Meagan and Jarred Briotti are on their way to Rome. Credit: Jackson Flindell/The West Australian
The routes will be subsidized by the state government’s $195 million Reconnect WA package, with the Premier indicating more direct flights from Perth will be announced.
McGowan said the government was “working to create more opportunities in India, Japan, and China”.
The Prime Minister said the flight to Rome marked Australia’s first connection to continental Europe and was a “great opportunity to establish WA as the hub for Europe”.
After arguing for months over the status and impact of WA’s hard border, Mr. Joyce and Mr. McGowan have apparently mended their relationship, with the Qantas boss describing the Prime Minister as “the best politician in the world a few days before the flight.” the country at the moment”. To the Eternal City.
At The West Australian’s Leadership Matters breakfast, Joyce recently revealed that Paris was an option for a direct flight to Perth.
The new Rome-Perth seasonal flight runs three times a week until October 6 and will resume next year.