Debate resumed, on motion by Mr Ciobo:

That the House:

(1)

condemns the Government for abandoning the tourism industry in a time of need;

(2)

notes the negative impact that the Government’s decision to reduce funding for Tourism Australia by $5.9 million in real terms will have on the tourism industry;

(3)

recognises that the Government’s $940 million of new tourism taxes will adversely affect the 483,000 Australians employed in the tourism industry; and

(4)

acknowledges that, in the new spirit of cooperative federalism, many State Labor Governments are following the example set by the Federal Government and are reducing their support for the tourism industry.

It is often said that you can tell the nature of a friend by whether they are beside you or with you when you are doing it tough. That is the reason I moved this motion that is before the House today—firstly:

That the House:

(1)

condemns the Government for abandoning the tourism industry in a time of need …

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