Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I inform the House that the Speaker has received a copy of a resolution passed by the Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory on 28 March 2012 relating to 2013 Canberra centenary funding and tourism. I do not propose to read the resolution to the House. Copies are being circulated to members in the chamber and the full text will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings and Hansard.

The resolution read as follows—

That this Assembly:

(1) notes:

(a) the national significance of celebrating the foundation of the centenary of Australia’s capital city;

(b) that the 2013 Canberra Centenary provides an excellent opportunity to boost the ACT economy through increased interstate and international visitors;

(c) that the ACT Government has released a brochure giving a sneak peak of the 2013 Canberra Centenary program;

(d) that the program includes a number of opportunities for tourists to experience historic, cultural, sports and entertainment events and exhibitions throughout the 2013 calendar year;

(e) that tourism opportunities are best realised through collaborative efforts of the ACT Government, business and tourism industry;

(f) that the ACT Government has recently set up a taskforce to coordinate the ACT’s efforts to secure international flights to Canberra Airport and the group will comprise of Government, Canberra Airport, business and tourism industry representatives;

(g) the $6 million commitment from the Federal Government for programs planned for the centenary celebrations in 2013;

(h) the Federal Government’s commitment of $20 million in capital funding for the arboretum; and

(i) the $24 million commitment from the ACT Government since 2006-2007 for programs planned for the centenary celebrations in 2013;

(2) calls on:

(a) the ACT Government to work with the business and tourism industries to leverage opportunities to bring interstate and international visitors to the ACT during the centenary year;

(b) the ACT Government to work with the Canberra Airport, local business and tourism industries to secure international flights to Canberra Airport;

(c) the Federal Government to continue to at least match on a dollar-for-dollar basis the funds committed by the ACT Government to programs planned for the centenary celebrations in 2013;

(d) the Federal Government to ensure adequate funding to the National Capital Authority to enable this agency to contribute effectively to the centenary celebrations in 2013; and

(e) all Members of the Federal Parliament to provide support for actions the Federal Government undertakes to achieve (2)(c) and (d);

(3) supports budget measures that enhance and promote our tourism opportunities for the 2013 Canberra Centenary; and

(4) calls on the Speaker to write to the leaders of all political parties and to all independents in the Federal Parliament advising them of the terms of this motion”.