Political rivals commit to tourism funding in Queensland State election

Both the Liberal National Party (LNP) and Queensland Labor have made major commitments to tourism during campaigning in the Queensland State election.

If elected, Labor has pledged to elevate the Queensland tourism portfolio to a senior cabinet position and to boost funding for Tourism Events Queensland by $40 million over the next four years.

Queensland Labor leader Annastacia Palaszczuk says that the funding will help counteract cuts of more than $20 million to Tourism and Events Queensland’s budget made by the LNP last year. 

Following on from Queensland Labor’s announcement, Premier Campbell Newman has pledged that a re-elected Liberal National Party would invest $60 million to attract major events and movie-making and another $20 million to make travelling ‘grey nomads’ more comfortable on the road.

Premier Newman pledged $60 million over three years towards a Queensland First Tourism Fund to attract major events in order "to allow people to bid to create events which will draw people here".

The incumbent Premier announced another $20 million towards drive tourism to be spent upgrading rest stops on road sides and better signage.

Premier Newman explained “we have the so-called grey nomads who descended on our state, particularly in the cooler months.”

Pro-development tourism lobby group, The Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) has welcomed the commitments to tourism from both parties.

Commenting on Labor’s tourism promises, with TTF Chief Executive Margy Osmond called the pledges “sensible policy changes that TTF has long advocated”.

Osmond stated “elevating the tourism portfolio to a senior cabinet position just makes sense, but I would call on Labor to ensure tourism is highly visible and not simply rolled into another portfolio.

“In a state like Queensland that is so dependent on tourism, adequate funding must be put in place to ensure the state remains competitive not only with other Australian states and territories, but also with international destinations.

In relation to the LNP announcement, Osmond added “it’s terrific to see the LNP putting tourism clearly on the election agenda.

“This ongoing commitment to funding that will give Queensland additional global profile and will improve the visitor experience to Queensland, is good news for the industry.

 “We now urge the Newman government to recognise the importance of marketing spending for the state and to support the critical one-off infrastructure projects, like the expansion of the Gold Coast light rail, that helps to make Queensland an even more desirable and accessible destination for visitors.”

According to the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC), nine out of 10 voters rate tourism as a key electoral battleground.

QTIC Chief Executive Daniel Gschwind “a vote for tourism, is a vote for jobs.

“Queensland’s tourism economy is beautiful today, but it can be perfect tomorrow.

“At a time when the resources sector is on a slowdown, this is when the next government can crank up tourism.’’

Cairns, Surfers Paradise, Barron River, Noosa, Cook, Mermaid Beach, Southport and Maroochydore are the top eight electorates with the highest intensity of tourism employment – with some of these being key marginal seat.

Tourism accounts for almost 240,000 jobs, about 51,000 businesses, and is now worth $27.8 billion a year to Queensland, according to the latest findings in the Queensland Tourism Business Count & Employment Atlas.

TTF is to release its tourism priorities document Queensland Tourism: Backing Our Strengths – An Agenda for the Queensland Government.

The Queensland state election will be held on Saturday 31st January 2015.

20th January 2015 - TACKLING OBESITY IS QUEENSLAND’S MAJOR HEALTH ISSUE

19th January 2015 - BIPARTISAN POLITICAL SUPPORT FOR NEW TOWNSVILLE STADIUM

15th January 2015 - CALL FOR NEXT QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT TO MAKE THE MOST OF MAJOR TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES

5th June 2014 - TOURISM MONIES CUT AS QUEENSLAND BUDGET’S LEISURE FUNDING FOCUSES ON COMMONWEALTH GAMES