McGowan's stadium idea tacky, says Barnett

Selling the naming rights for two of Perth's sporting stadiums has turned into a surprising election issue two days out from going to the polls.

Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett

WA Premier Colin Barnett has taken aim at the Labor leader, accusing him of being "cheap and tacky". (AAP)

WA Premier Colin Barnett has taken aim at Labor leader Mark McGowan, accusing him of being "cheap and tacky" over a proposal to sell stadium naming rights.

Shadow Treasurer Ben Wyatt says Labor would sell the naming rights for the new Perth Stadium and Perth Arena to add $10.5 million to the budget bottom line of four years.

But it's an idea Mr Barnett has long opposed, saying it's "not about the money, it's about the identity of the state".

"I think it's a dreadful idea ... absolutely the wrong thing to do," he told Perth Radio 6PR on Thursday.

"It promotes Perth, it is our stadium - we're not going to share it."

He said it was evidence of Mr McGowan's "cheap, tacky" approach, adding the opposition leader had no vision.

Mr McGowan defended the policy, saying it would help reduce the debt and deficit facing WA.

"Every little bit counts," Mr McGowan said in the electorate of Bicton on Thursday.

"And the financial situation confronting Western Australia is extreme, particularly when it comes to recurrent spending, so every opportunity you can to address that by methods that don't really hurt the state are good."

Mr McGowan said the city's name would be retained in the new names for Perth Stadium and Perth Arena, and he hoped a local company like Wesfarmers or Woodside would bid for the rights.

The successful bidder would have to be a reputable company without an outlandish name.

Selling companies naming rights for such venues was standard practice across the world, he added.


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Source: AAP



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