1 year of ‘homework’ and ‘fine-tuning’ and still no Liberal National Party tourism policy
Published Friday, 16 January, 2009 at 02:55 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
After 1 year as the Liberal National Party tourism spokesperson Member for Burnett Rob Messenger has admitted Lawrence Springborg does not have a plan for Queensland tourism.
This morning on Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast radio Mr Messenger admitted that the Liberal National Party were still doing their ‘homework’ and ‘fine-tuning’ their approach to tourism.
Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle said Mr Messenger owes the people of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast an apology for leading them up the garden path.
“He has misled the tourism industry and Queensland by promising to release a tourism plan yesterday and then refusing.
“My question to Mr Messenger and the LNP is where is your tourism action plan?
“Now is the time that counts for the Queensland tourism industry.
“Australia’s tourism numbers have been falling, the world’s airlines have cut flights and the global financial crisis is making people second guess holidays.
“What exactly is the LNP going to do to save tourism jobs?
“Now is the time to tell the Queensland tourism industry what they would do.
“Springborg expects Queensland to wait as late as September - that’s too long.
“It’s a bit late to be doing your ‘homework’ when you are in the middle on an exam!”
In 2008 the tourism industry requested stronger regional representation and the Bligh Government delivered.
“We decentralised tourism resources from Brisbane, funded new regionally based staff and provided an additional $4million in assistance funding.
“The Bligh Government’s Queensland Tourism Strategy is available online at www.qldtourismstrategy.com.au.”
Media Contact: 3225 1005 or 0419 025 326
This morning on Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast radio Mr Messenger admitted that the Liberal National Party were still doing their ‘homework’ and ‘fine-tuning’ their approach to tourism.
Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle said Mr Messenger owes the people of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast an apology for leading them up the garden path.
“He has misled the tourism industry and Queensland by promising to release a tourism plan yesterday and then refusing.
“My question to Mr Messenger and the LNP is where is your tourism action plan?
“Now is the time that counts for the Queensland tourism industry.
“Australia’s tourism numbers have been falling, the world’s airlines have cut flights and the global financial crisis is making people second guess holidays.
“What exactly is the LNP going to do to save tourism jobs?
“Now is the time to tell the Queensland tourism industry what they would do.
“Springborg expects Queensland to wait as late as September - that’s too long.
“It’s a bit late to be doing your ‘homework’ when you are in the middle on an exam!”
In 2008 the tourism industry requested stronger regional representation and the Bligh Government delivered.
“We decentralised tourism resources from Brisbane, funded new regionally based staff and provided an additional $4million in assistance funding.
“The Bligh Government’s Queensland Tourism Strategy is available online at www.qldtourismstrategy.com.au.”
Media Contact: 3225 1005 or 0419 025 326