Page 1389 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 28 March 2012
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Those are some of the broader issues around the airport. Nonetheless, I acknowledge the opportunities that exist in having those direct flights. I think we can find a balance where our airport has the opportunity to offer a greater diversity of services. I certainly do not endorse the full business intent of the airport with its significant expansion plans in terms of the number of flights, freight and 24-hour operations. However, the observations in Ms Porter’s motion are ones that we would not be opposed to.
With those few remarks, I welcome the fact that Ms Porter brought this motion forward today. As I said earlier, I think the centenary is going to be an event of great significance for this city, one that hopefully not only the residents of Canberra but also many from across Australia will enjoy. I look forward to discussions later in the day to work through some of the details of the amendments that are being proposed.
MR BARR (Molonglo—Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation) (11.26): I thank Ms Porter for raising the motion this morning and Mr Smyth and Mr Rattenbury for their contributions. It is important that the Assembly has the opportunity to discuss our centenary—the opportunities that it brings to boost tourism in the ACT and the opportunities it brings us to market the territory interstate and overseas.
Members would have heard me speak before about the ACT tourism industry: its contribution of $1.5 billion per annum to the local economy and the fact that it employs more than 13,000 Canberrans. The government recognises the importance of the industry to the ACT and remains committed to supporting key tourism opportunities that enhance the overall tourism experience in Canberra. It recognises the opportunity to draw more interstate and international visitors to the territory.
A couple of weeks ago, at an event attended by the Chief Minister and the Prime Minister, Robyn Archer revealed a sneak peek of what can be expected in the centenary year. I can advise members that Australian Capital Tourism has been working alongside the centenary team on a marketing campaign aimed at increasing tourist activity and raising the number of visitors who come to our city during the centenary year. This work, of course, was funded in the 2011-12 budget where the ACT government provided an additional $1.8 million over three years towards a national marketing fund to promote the centenary. This was part of a $5.8 million boost in the 2011-12 budget for a range of initiatives aimed at increasing tourism.
I note that, despite the significant contribution that the tourism sector makes to our economy each year and despite the fact that the government put up this series of new initiatives in the 2011-12 budget, the Canberra Liberals voted against them. I thank the ACT Greens for their support of those budget initiatives and recognise that, without that support, we would not have been in a position to deliver these additional funds to the tourism sector. It might be an opportunity for the shadow minister to reflect upon his party’s position in relation to votes on budgets and why they consistently vote against measures that they then get up and support later on. But I digress, Mr Assistant Speaker.
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