West Australian Treasurer Rita Saffioti has defended her government’s role in facilitating three high-profile Italian soccer friendlies in Perth, amid ongoing debate about the financial implications of the taxpayer-funded initiative. The series of matches, branded as Calcio Italiano, drew considerable attention, with over 52,000 spectators attending the featured derby between AC Milan and Inter on Wednesday night at Optus Stadium.
The crowd was bolstered by the distribution of 5,000 complimentary tickets to schoolchildren, as well as prominent team-coloured banners that filled sections of the stadium. Nonetheless, initial signs indicated that public interest might fall short of expectations. This was underscored by the decision to relocate the third fixture—Juventus versus Palermo—to the more modest HBF Park venue. In addition, the Western Australian government subsidised airline travel from eastern states to Perth for fans traveling from Melbourne and Sydney, a policy that has drawn criticism, particularly given the high costs already incurred by Fremantle residents securing inflated airfares for the upcoming AFL grand final.
Ahead of the key match, tickets were heavily discounted in an effort to stimulate attendance. Speaking to ABC Radio following the event, Ms Saffioti described the festival as “enormously successful” and highlighted its role in placing Perth before a global audience. “I’m really proud that we’re able to bring these events to Perth and that we don’t lose these events to other states,” she said.
Despite the positive attendance figures, the total financial outlay remains undisclosed. Both Ms Saffioti and Premier Roger Cook have emphasised the need to maintain confidentiality around commercial arrangements to avoid triggering competitive bidding among states. Independent estimates suggest the cost of attracting the teams could be around $11 million. Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas contends that when factoring in additional expenses such as securing a broadcast agreement with Channel 7 and related promotional activities, the overall expenditure likely surpasses $12 million.
The Calcio Italiano series is among several major events the Cook government has pursued to enhance Western Australia’s profile. These include securing performances by the English band Coldplay, hosting UFC mixed martial arts events, WWE wrestling shows, as well as AFL and NRL State of Origin matches. The government is also financially supporting AFL club North Melbourne to stage two home games in Western Australia, developing a new motorsport and cycling facility in Burswood, and committing significant funds toward establishing the Perth Bears NRL franchise.
Ms Saffioti acknowledged that public opinion is divided over such investments but stressed the government’s responsibility to plan for the future and foster economic growth. “There’s always going to be people that don’t like this and don’t like that—that’s human nature and that’s our community,” she said. “As a government our job is to look to the future and to make sure that we continue to drive our economy, and that we look at what the other states are doing.”
Notably, Ms Saffioti, an avid Italian soccer supporter, took part in tossing the coin prior to the AC Milan-Inter match.