Page 2012 - Week 07 - Thursday, 17 June 1993
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MR LAMONT (11.59): I rise to endorse all of the sentiments expressed by the chair of the committee, Mr Westende, not the least of which was his complimentary remarks to Mr De Domenico for the work he undertook for this committee prior to the change in committee membership. I wish to address one point, which is covered with quite some rapidity throughout this report, and that is the fact that, as a self-governing Territory, we must still regard ourselves as part of the south-east region. We are a major centre in a regional context, not just the capital of the nation. This is brought home even more when you assess the potential in the tourism industry for interaction between a number of significant attractions within the region, particularly the Snowy Mountains and the high country, and attractions that are available here in the ACT to attract the tourist dollar.
If we take into account the expenditure which is provided through the Parks and Wildlife Service in New South Wales for promotion of the mountains and the high country, the budget provided here in the ACT through the ACT Tourism Commission and through other avenues used by the ACT Government to promote tourism in the ACT, it is quite significant. As I understand it, Perisher-Smiggins have a national promotional budget of about $3m a year. That is about $1 for every person who visits the high country during the high season - the winter season. There are three million visitors who go to the Snowy Mountains to ski during the winter season, which is generally over a 12-week period. They spend that $3m promoting singularly Perisher-Smiggins. Charlotte's Pass and the other attractions in the snow also have their own budgets; they are all separately promoting their little part of the world.
To some extent we do the same, and that is something which we need critically to address. We need cooperatively to promote and market Canberra and the south-east region. I take this opportunity to congratulate David Marshall and his organisation on promoting the south-east region campaign. This is becoming a very high profile and successful promotional campaign for all of the attractions in the south-east region, not just those in the ACT. It is interesting to note that membership of that organisation is increasing significantly in the region. This may very well form the catalyst for a closer working relationship between activities here in the ACT and regional activities.
I would, however, like to point to one thing. We already have an organisation called the South East Economic Development Council. That organisation is jointly funded by the ACT Government and the New South Wales Government to discuss and determine, where possible, cross-border issues. As part of its operation there is a range of subcommittees, not the least of which is a tourism and promotion subcommittee for the region. It does, I believe, substantially good work. I do not believe that at this stage, however, enough impetus has been given to that committee to lift its profile and promote more aggressively the ACT and south-east region.
I am concerned that a considerable amount of money is spent in funding the South East Economic Development Council, and I believe that, as a result of the recommendations contained in this report for the Government to consider funding mechanisms for tourism and tourism promotion, it would be an appropriate time to address the funding mechanisms and the appropriateness of
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