Perth’s status as Australia’s ‘western gateway’ make city logical first stop for King’s visit, Premier says

Perth’s status as the “Western gateway to Australia” makes it the perfect first stop for King Charles III’s first trip Down Under as King, the Premier has argued. Competition to host the King and Queen is expected to intensify in coming weeks, with news over the weekend that the King’s October trip to Australia could be condensed to less than a week for health reasons. Australia’s cousins across the ditch have reportedly fared worse, with New Zealand struck off the trip altogether. UK media reported at the weekend that the southern hemisphere trip, built around Samoa’s hosting of this year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October, has been pared back to help the King stay healthy and battle his prostate cancer. With only six days now on offer in Australia, Premier Roger Cook said Perth, which he has previously described as the “capital of the Indian Ocean”, was perfect for the King’s first stop. “On behalf of the State, the Cook Government has promoted several uniquely Western Australian experiences to the Commonwealth that would leave the King and Queen with memories they won’t be able to get anywhere else in the nation or indeed the world,” Mr Cook said in a statement. “We would of course welcome the royal couple to visit our great State and enjoy some of the wonderful experiences and adventures that make us the Western Gateway to Australia, noting the King has successfully toured here many times before. “The King has repeatedly expressed a deep appreciation for the environment and nature, and that is why witnessing the rich biodiversity WA has to offer provides an opportunity close to the King’s heart. “We will continue to work with the Commonwealth on what we believe would be a highly appealing stop on the royal couple’s tour to Australia later this year, centering around our State’s unmatched physical and cultural attributes.” The King’s plane will need to refuel at least once on its trip to Australia from London, putting Perth in the box seat for a stop. As part of WA’s bid for the Royal Tour, the State Government has suggested the King visit the WA Museum Boola Bardip, Rottnest Island and the Matagarup Bridge precinct.