Page 2456 - Week 08 - Thursday, 30 August 2007
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We have turned away from potentially the largest source of tourists in the world, China, because it is too hard; because they want to come in groups. The government should work out how to look after them, because as China opens up as a market, as it is doing, as it will do and as it will continue to do, we want to build a relationship with China but we do not want their tourists. What sort of message is that, Mr Speaker? Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to try and develop an approach to meeting the needs of Chinese tourists? The latest ABS data shows that the number of visitors to Australia from China actually grew by 20 per cent in the year to 30 June 2007, from 150,000 to 180,000 visitors, yet we are turning our backs on it.
We need to look at infrastructure issues; we need to look at road access issues. I noted this morning that the NCA was saying, “Let’s have pay parking in the parliamentary triangle.” Mr Pratt, on behalf of the opposition, has said, “We want a review of all parking across the territory,” and that is appropriate because we need to know where it is appropriate to put parking. With respect to the parliamentary triangle, we know that almost 70 per cent of our tourists come by car. We are a road destination; they like to bring the family and park their cars, so we need to make sure that we get it right. If we do not, and particularly if we make parking harder and more expensive for them, they will not stay. We want them to stay, we want them to stay longer, and we want them to feel welcome, so that they will fill our hotels, restaurants, attractions and shops. We will lighten their wallets for them before they leave, which will provide jobs and investment here for the people of Canberra. It is a great story but we are not telling it.
In budget paper No 4, under “Tourism”, we see that one of the things the budget is meant to do is “the creation and implementation of a range of marketing and development programs to promote tourism and major events held in the ACT”. I look forward to that happening. It is pretty much the same quote that was contained in the budget papers last year. It did not happen last year; last year we lost half the staff and all of the corporate memory. It did not happen and it needs to happen. For instance, I note that yesterday the minister announced some funding for the balloon fiesta. I am sure they are grateful for it, but the balloon fiesta has the ability to become the autumn anchor for the tourism industry. Let us face it: Floriade covers the spring end of the year, winter is a bit interesting for Canberra given the cold weather, while autumn is a beautiful time of the year. A significant event that attracts people, ideally in the first week of the school holidays, which is when the balloon fiesta is held, should be supported by the government. I believe it needs to be supported in a great—
Mr Barr: We are the largest cash sponsor.
MR SMYTH: Yes, you are, but I know they have spoken to you and I know they have asked for more. It used to be a nine-day event, and a nine-day event is needed so that the international balloon pilots can bring their balloons here. Given the vagaries of the weather, with the four-day event that we have, if you do not get some good ballooning weather, you can bring a balloon here from America or Europe and not fly the thing. They say it needs to run for about a week. It used to last for about nine days, and it should be nine days again. I know some submissions have been received from various areas, and I acknowledge, minister, that you have given some money, and I know they are grateful, as I am. I think the tourist community will be grateful because it represents a start, but we need to have a calendar of events, in line with the
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