Steve Georganas (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Resources and Energy and Minister for Tourism. Would the minister update the House on the progress of the Oprah Winfrey project?

Martin Ferguson (Batman, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Resources and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Hindmarsh for his question. He is one of many members of the House who have expressed their support for Tourism Australia’s success in attracting the Oprah Winfrey Show to Australia. People in the House should remember that our tourism industry at the moment is very challenged by the strength of the Australian dollar. People must appreciate that tourism is a major employer of Australians—just under one million Australians, directly and indirectly. We should also remind ourselves that tourism represents 8.3 per cent of Australia’s total exports. In that context, the Oprah Winfrey Show is very important. Her show is viewed by over 40 million people each week in the United States and is broadcast to 145 countries globally. When she announced her willingness to come to Australia, to Australia’s credit and great benefit she said that her Australian visit would represent the ultimate adventure. That is exceptionally important because Oprah has been named by Forbes magazine as the most important celebrity in the world. That represents a major endorsement of the Australian tourism industry.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members—What about Kevin?

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The House will come to order! Those on my left seem to be easily distracted.

Martin Ferguson (Batman, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Resources and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At least two episodes will be filmed at the Sydney Opera House. They will go to air in the United States in January. This represents an investment by Tourism Australia of $1.5 million. To assist the Australian tourism industry to promote its product, Tourism Australia has facilitated a pitch by each state and territory for an inclusion of their experience in the filming of the Oprah Winfrey Show. To date there have been expressions of interest from 3,000 product and service offices. Thousands of Australians, including many on the opposition side of the House, have sought tickets to the filming of the Oprah Winfrey Show.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members—Name them!

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister will ignore the invitation to name them.

Martin Ferguson (Batman, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Resources and Energy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I know that the opposition does not regard tourism as an important industry. This is a major coup and I am pleased to say that, despite the global financial crisis, the North American market has proved to be very resilient for Australia. We saw 5.1 per cent growth for the period to 2009. Also, because it is related to tourism, the Shanghai world expo has been a great opportunity for Australia, with over seven million visitors to our expo site to date.

With the approach of Christmas, I remind the House that the tourism industry is doing it tough. Australia continues to have 117 million days of accumulated annual leave at this point, worth $33 billion. I ask all Australian employers to give serious support to encouraging their workforce to have a holiday in Australia and, by doing so, to keep their mates employed.