WA government says ‘no issues’ with media boss on board of big ad spender

Tourism Minister Reece Whitby says any conflict of interest arising from the appointment of Seven West Media’s chief executive to the Tourism WA board and the tens of millions of dollars the agency spends on advertising could be managed.

Whitby announced a raft of changes to the Tourism WA board on Wednesday, which included Maryna Fewster’s appointment alongside recently ousted Fremantle mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge and Australian Olympic Committee member John Lee.

Fewster has been chief executive of Seven West Media since June 2018 and was chief operating officer before that.

According to its annual report, Tourism WA spent nearly $36 million on advertising and promotions that financial year – $29.6 million of which was spent on promotional campaigns for the state.

The agency advertises internationally and domestically to boost tourist numbers to the state via a range of channels, including social media and in traditional media like TV stations and newspapers, including those owned by Seven West Media and Nine Entertainment, the owner of this masthead.

Fewster’s appointment to the board means she will have a role in governing how Tourism WA spends its advertising dollars.

Whitby said conflicts of interest would be managed appropriately.

“There are rules and requirements around [conflicts of interest],” he said.

“We made an appointment of three new commissioners announced yesterday … all of them have good skills and great experiences to bring to that board, and any conflict, regardless of who that person is, will be handled in a professional manner.”

Tourism WA maintains a conflict of interest register and applies formal plans for commissioners where relevant.

“These processes align with WA Government governance standards and are regularly reviewed and strengthened to ensure best practice is maintained,” a spokesman for Whitby said.

“All commissioners are required to formally declare all relevant interests, with specific Conflict of Interest Management Plans implemented as required — consistent with the obligations placed on every Commissioner.

“This includes recusal from discussions or decisions where a conflict is identified, ensuring the integrity of Board decision-making is always maintained.”

Greens WA democracy spokesperson Tim Clifford said he would ask Whitby about the appointment when parliament resumed later this month.

“What vetting process was undertaken to address potential conflicts of interest and why isn’t this information being made publicly available?” he said.

“The make-up of the Tourism WA Board should reflect our state’s incredible diversity, not Minister Reece Whitby’s personal connections.”

Fewster is also a director at Crown Perth and sat on the board of Celebrate WA, the group that organises WA Day celebrations.

She was approached for comment about the potential conflicts of interest, but told The West Australian on Thursday she was excited to start in the new role.

“I couldn’t be more excited to have a role in elevating WA as a tourism destination. It is still the best kept secret in the world,” she said.

“I have lived in lots of places, but this is the most beautiful state, I am proud to call home.

“Just thinking about Rotto makes me smile — every corner of our state is special, and the more people who know about it the better.”

Opposition leader Basil Zempilas was approached for comment.

Fitzhardinge was an adviser to former Labor premier Geoff Gallop and held board roles with Fringe Festival organiser Artrage and the Rottnest Island Authority.

Lee’s appointment fits with Premier Roger Cook’s dream of making the Perth Bears a success given his past professional roles as chief executive of the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs and a director of the North Queensland Cowboys.

Perth Airport chief executive Jason Waters will become Tourism WA’s new deputy chair while current chair Di Bain will continue in that role until 2028.

WA Cricket chief executive Christina Matthews has also been reappointed for an additional three-year term.