Bob Baldwin (Paterson, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources) Share this | Hansard source

I am afraid some aspects of the question the member has asked are outside the portfolio responsibility. But, in relation to open skies, that question would be better addressed to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, who at the end of the day has the ruling on that. But let me say this: we encourage people coming to Australia. When we look at Tiger or Asian airways that are looking at our facilities—in particular, they are looking at providing their hubbing out of regional areas—it is to be encouraged.

The member has also asked questions in relation to road funding, which would probably be better addressed by someone else. But can I say that the federal government’s investment at $23.2 billion under an AusLink 2 project has had massive effects on the tourism industry.

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