Kerry Bartlett (Macquarie, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to return our attention to the issue of tourism. I congratulate the government and, through the parliamentary secretary, the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, on our heavy commitment to this multibillion dollar industry—an industry worth $75 billion a year in GDP, $18 billion a year in exports and half a million jobs. The $320 million we will spend on tourism over the next two years is to be greatly appreciated.

I particularly want to contrast that with the dismal effort of the New South Wales government. I would ask the parliamentary secretary to comment on that. The New South Wales budget just last week ripped another $1 million out of its state promotion of tourism. That just adds further to the problems of the last three or four years—

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