Harvey: McGowan Government should be doing more to sell Albany

Once an economic giant of Albany, whales have been undersold as a tourism drawcard and job creator by the State Government, according to Opposition leader Liza Harvey.

Having had her own “brutal and disgusting” experience at the Cheyne Beach Whaling Station while on a school trip in the 1970s, Ms Harvey wants more tourists to have a “majestic” experience with whales off Albany.

“With the natural environment here plus some good tourism offerings, I think more can be done to sell Albany,” Ms Harvey said.

“Whale watching is a case in point.

“I came here as a child in the 70s and went to the whaling station and watched whales being cut up, which was quite brutal and disgusting.

“Whale watching is something we don’t sell as well as we could.

“It is a majestic experience to be out on a boat, watching a mother and a calf breaching.”

Speaking at The Gap yesterday while on a three-day visit to the south coast, Ms Harvey championed the Liberal Party’s record of investment in Albany’s tourism industry.

She said the Barnett Government had invested in the city’s Anzac heritage through the National Anzac Centre.

Australian War Memorial director Brendon Nelson and AWM Council chairman Kerry Stokes are due to visit the National Anzac Centre tomorrow.

“I love Albany and I’m really proud of the investment of our Government in this town,” Ms Harvey said.

“We put the infrastructure in here at The Gap, to make it safe for tourists to come and visit.

“You can see coming here over a half-hour period, there’s a steady stream of tourists.”