Labor promises tourism minister

Labor promises tourism minister
By admin


The Labor party has committed to appoint a dedicated tourism minister if it wins the government election in 2016.

The Australian today reports federal labor claiming the tourism industry is annoyed by the lack of support from the Abbott government in the sector.

“Tourism is our second-largest export and it’s extraordinary that given it will grow in importance in the years ahead that there is no one responsible for it,” opposition tourism spokesman Anthony Albanese told The Australian.

“Earning $107 billion a year, tourism is our largest services export,” he added.

The newspaper questioned if Labor’s tourism minister would hold a cabinet position, with Mr Albanese answering it depended on who was appointed.

“At the moment the tourism ministry needs to be in the cabinet,” he said.

“It is such a critical area for Australia that has many implications. You need to have discussions across economic policy, skills, making sure the workforce is available, the environment and the potential for Australia’s tourism industry with the growth of the middle class in the Asia–Pacific.”

The Australian quoted Tourism & Transport Forum chief executive Margy Osmond saying tourism is a key area of growth for Australia, and should be represented at cabinet level regardless of the party in government.

“It would be great to see Australia emulate New Zealand, which has acknowledged the importance of tourism to its economy with the Prime Minister also holding the tourism portfolio,” she said.

But Australian Federation of Travel Agents chief executive Jayson Westbury told The Australian that despite not having a dedicated tourism minister, the government was still delivering outcomes for the tourism industry.

Trade Minister Andrew Robb has previously said he acts in the federal tourism role, with the industry employing more than 540,000 people across the country.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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