Page 3132 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 24 September 2014
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It will be very interesting to see in future years the impact of those measures as they come through in the audit period. We know what it is we need to do to achieve our 90 per cent renewable energy target; we know what it is we need to do to meet those targets. The most recent audit outcome confirms that per capita emissions continue to decline from 12 tonnes per person down to approximately 11 tonnes per person. We know that emissions have reduced for the first time in this reporting year—that is a very encouraging outcome—and we know that the level of renewable energy has increased. So we are on the right track, and the only ones who will divert us from that are those opposite.
Floriade—support
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order! I would like to hear Ms Porter.
MS PORTER: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. My question, through you, is to the Minister for Tourism and Events. Minister, with Floriade well underway, could you please update the Assembly on how the government is supporting this important event?
MR BARR: I thank Ms Porter for the question. Members would be aware that Floriade is the largest floral festival in the Southern Hemisphere, and I am pleased to advise that it has recorded a very strong start in 2014. Consistently strong crowds have attended on each of the first 10 days. The excellent weather has certainly contributed, as has a great program of events, a strong marketing plan and, indeed, the NightFest element of Floriade that kicks off tonight. It is important to stress that, after 25 years—there was a short period when the previous Liberal government decided to charge for the event—the event remains free and is open seven days a week.
Floriade 2014 has four themed weeks which have this year been based on our city’s four key tourism pillars: arts and culture, food and wine, family fun, and outdoors and adventure. Floriade has a leading role in promoting the capital region. The duration of the event and its high profile provide an ideal reason for repeat visitation and a very positive platform to advocate for Canberra and the region as a tourism destination.
It is an economic stimulus for the territory and, as the flagship tourism event for Canberra, it provides our tourism industry with an opportunity to showcase the wide variety of experiences that the city offers and gives visitors a reason to visit and extend the length of their stay. The government works with all levels of the tourism industry to deliver on the strategic goal of boosting visitation and encouraging visitors to extend their stay and experience our attractions beyond Commonwealth Park and Floriade itself.
This year the strong marketing campaign for the event included the official program, with a 250,000-copy print run, distributed through the Fairfax news network. That covered Canberra, the South Coast, Illawarra and southern New South Wales. This campaign included detailed information about the event and enabled the local tourism industry to showcase a range of experiences in Canberra through advertising and editorial support.
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