Industry concern as tourism minister role slips from Prime Minister-elect's first Cabinet

Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott's decision to axe the role of a dedicated Federal tourism minister has raised concerns in the tourism industry with bodies including the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) expressing "disappointment" that tourism no longer has a dedicated minister.

In the Prime Minister-elect's new ministry, tourism responsibilities have been split between ministers, with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Minister for for Trade and Investment Andrew Robb taking responsibility for international tourism. 
Meanwhile, domestic tourism continues in the industry portfolio with Ian Macfarlane appointed Minister for Industry and former shadow Tourism Miniser Bob Baldwin appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Industry.

The Gold Coast Bulletin has quoted Gold Coast Tourism Chief Executive Martin Winter as saying that the absence of cabinet level tourism minister was alarming.

Winter stated "not having anyone as dedicated minister for tourism at first reading appears to be quite alarming.

"The tourism industry in Australia ... deserves a voice at the cabinet table. It is a major contributor (to the economy) and supports tens of thousands of jobs."

Highlighting that tourism must be recognised for its $28 billion contribution to the national economy, ATEC Managing Director Felicia Mariani said today (17th September) "this is the first time in more than 40 years that Australia has not had a tourism minister and our members, and the industry more broadly, are concerned by this significant omission.

"What will be important into the future is the Abbott Government's commitment to strengthening the tourism industry and its valuable contribution, and we are confident this can be done well through the new Minister for Trade and Investment, Andrew Robb.

"As one of Australia's most successful and enduring export industries, we must be recognised and fully engaged in the new Minister's agenda."

"While we welcome this whole of Government approach, we need to have a clearly defined Minister who has a responsibility for the tourism industry on a day-to-day basis."

Mariani said ATEC welcomed the Government's policy announcement placing greater focus on engaging export tourism as a strong contributor to Australia's international trade.

She added "the tourism industry has for far too long been overlooked as a significant contributor to Australia's export sector, and this new alignment with trade and investment finally acknowledges our place at this important table.

"Tourism is the largest contributor to the country's export performance in the services sector and the sixth largest overall within the export industries.

"As the only national industry association devoted to the development of Australia's $28 billion export tourism industry, Minister Robb must be fully engaged with ATEC in order to understand the needs and complexities of the thousands of businesses who comprise this critical industry.

"ATEC calls on Minister Robb to engage the export tourism sector in his new Ministerial Advisory Council on Trade and Investment."

Mariani thanked Bob Baldwin, for his extensive engagement with and enthusiasm for the tourism industry during his time as shadow Minister and concluded "Mr Baldwin has been an incredible champion for the issues confronting the tourism industry and this was substantiated by the way that he worked to shape the excellent Coalition Tourism Policy that was launched prior to the election.

"He has been a very available and highly visible shadow Minister and we wish him well in his new portfolio responsibilities."

Prior to the Federal election Baldwin was confident he would become the new Regional Development and Tourism Minister, saying he had been promised a role on Tony Abbott's first front bench.

At the time he stated "Tony Abbott's already announced to the industry that I will be their Minister for Tourism, should we form Government."

Having served as shadow Tourism Minister while the Coalition was in Opposition, Baldwin has effectively been demoted to his role as Parliamentary Secretarywhile Nationals leader Warren Truss has been named Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development.

Prime Minister-elect Abbott defended his decision, saying tourism was still important, stating "I want to promote tourism (and) "I intend, through a deregulation agenda, to make it easier for the tourism industry."

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