Where the bloody hell’s Martin…and Pete?
WITH Townsville tourism languishing and hundreds of jobs at risk the call’s gone out – where the bloody hell’s Martin Ferguson and Peter Lawlor.
LNP tourism spokesman Ray Stevens said State and Federal Labor needed to lift their support for tourism which had faced cuts at both budgets.
“It’s a case of how much is the introduction fee to ‘Fergie’ Lawlor because our Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor doesn’t seem to care much about tourism,” Mr Stevens said.
Mr Stevens said tourism was vital to Townsville and Magnetic Island, supporting 2600 jobs.
“Townsville and Magnetic Island are suffering from the downturn in tourism.
“Many individual workers and their families are suffering because their shifts at motels, resorts and attractions have been cut back and all Labor is prepared to do is cut funding.”
Mr Stevens said Federal Labor had cut Tourism Australia’s funding from $140 million to $130 million, while State Labor was still attempting to claim its 20 per cent reduction in tourism funding was an ‘increase’.
“I’m amazed by Martin Ferguson’s attitude that tourist operators had to compete for Australians to “holiday at home” against buying the latest white goods.
“When you look at all the hundreds of millions of dollars Federal Labor has blown on its disastrous roof insulation and schools halls programs, it’s hardly unreasonable for tourism operators who are genuinely struggling to expect a fair deal.”
Mr Stevens said State Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor had also presided over cuts to one of Queensland’s key employers with allocations to Tourism Queensland in 2010-2011 standing at $63.7 million, representing a cut of $15.1 million* or just under 20 per cent.
“Tourism is one of the key drivers of Queensland’s economy yet at in a tough climate when tourist destinations need all the assistance they can get, our long-term Labor government has slashed funding.”
*2010-11 Queensland State Budget – Service Delivery Statements 2-1