Staff object to Tourism Northern Territory relocation

Staff at Tourism Northern Territory are reported to be objecting to plans to relocate the Northern Territory's tourism agency from Darwin to Alice Springs.

According to results of a Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) survey unveiled by Northern Shadow Minister for Tourism Ken Vowles, 92% of Tourism NT staff are not keen on moving and will not accept the move "under present conditions".

Vowles said there was still "mass confusion" about the move to Alice Springs, adding that those who choose not to relocate could be facing redundancies.

Vowles explains "the CLP says that if they don't want to relocate they will be offered voluntary redundancies.

"The CLP are going to have to pay out millions of dollars in voluntary redundancies, lose all the expertise and knowledge, and then have to recruit a whole new team in Alice Springs."

The new Northern Territory Government announced its plans to move Tourism NT's base operations from Darwin to Alice Springs earlier this month.

According to newly appointed Northern Territory Minister for Tourism and Major Events Matt Conlan the move is to "increase the dwindling tourist numbers seen over the last decade" and forms part ot the new Government's plans to re-invigorate visitor numbers and help revitalise regional and remote tourism.

Minister Conlan's Greatorex constituency covers Alice Springs.

The former talk back radio host holds the Territory's five leisure portfolios as Minister for Arts and Museums; Minister for Sport and Recreation; Minister for Racing; and Minister for Parks and Wildlife in addition to the Tourism and Major Events portfolio.

Shadow Minister Vowles said money spent on the relocation would be better spent on marketing the Territory and "bringing tourists" to the state, adding "we still haven't heard any valid reasons as to why this move is necessary and how it will grow visitor numbers in the Territory."

10th September 2012 - NEW NORTHERN TERRITORY GOVERNMENT TO RELOCATE TOURISM NT TO ALICE SPRINGS

6th September 2012 - MATT CONLAN ASSUMES NORTHERN TERRITORY LEISURE PORTFOLIOS