Steven Ciobo (Moncrieff, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Youth and Sport) Share this | Hansard source

I welcome the fact that the Minister for Tourism has indicated that there is not a single cent of additional funding for Australia’s tourism industry. It helps provide some clarity. I also noticed that the minister refused to address the fact that, under his government, the tourism industry has gone backwards, with $1¼ billion of new taxes, with funding for Tourism Australia cut in real terms to 2003 levels. I also notice that the minister comes from the school of thought that the best defence is offence, and I welcome him to attack the coalition’s strong record with respect to support for the tourism industry as much as he sees fit.

Notwithstanding that, given that the minister has now confirmed that he will not be providing any additional assistance for the tourist industry through Tourism Australia funding and, indeed, does not have any real concern about the fact that his government imposed $1¼ billion of new taxes, I wonder if the minister could indicate whether the TQUAL program, which he spoke about earlier—a program that replaced the $29 million Australian Tourism Development Program; incidentally, Minister, I note you raced around the country for nearly two years announcing various projects around the country under ATDP funding—will be extended given the minister’s particular desire to constantly lecture Australia’s tourism industry about the need to invest in supply-side infrastructure and supply-side attractions. Minister, will the money match your mouth and will your government be doing anything with respect to extending the TQUAL program? Your indication of that or otherwise would be welcomed.

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