James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) recognises the importance of regional tourism to the Australian economy, and especially so in the state of Queensland, where last year alone there were 2 million visitors to Queensland spending $5 billion, with 43 cents in every tourism dollar spent in our regions;

(b) notes the excellent work that Outback Queensland Tourism carries out by promoting hard-working Queensland tourism and accommodation operators;

(c) commends the members of Outback Queensland Tourism that came together for the organisation's 2018 awards in Roma on 3 November 2018;

(d) congratulates all category winners of the 2018 Outback Queensland Tourism Awards, being: Major Tourist Attraction – Qantas Museum; Tourist Attraction – Cobbold Gorge; Festivals and Events – Big Red Bash; Festivals and Events (special commendation) – Mt Isa Rodeo; Cultural Tourism – Outback Pioneers; Visitor Information and Services – Julia Creek Visitors Information Centre; Tour and Transport Operators – Outback Aussie Tours; Caravan and Holiday Parks – Adels Grove; Hosted Accommodation – Cobbold Village; Best Outback Pub – Goldfield Hotel; Contribution Volunteer/Group – Gail Wipaki; Young Achiever – Becky Kuhl; New Tourism Business – Waltzing Matilda Centre; Local Government – Quilpie Shire Council; Outback Mates Award – Greg Donovan; Vince Evert Award – Rod Low Mow; and

(e) acknowledges and commends the Liberal National Coalition Government for its Tourism 2020 plan to continue to grow the tourism sector, which has been supported by earmarking $45 million for tourism in the latest round of the Building Better Regions Fund.