Portfolio Media

Tourism grants a step closer to better policy

15 April 2009

The Coalition has welcomed a new Federal Government tourism grants programme that will support innovative projects and initiatives to boost Australia’s tourism sector.

Shadow Tourism Minister Steven Ciobo said it is important the Government responds to the immediate challenges facing the tourism sector, which is costing thousands of jobs including up to 1,750 positions at Qantas, as announced yesterday.

“In the five years between 2001 and 2007, the Coalition Government increased total tourism spending by 14 per cent. Now, even with new $8.5 million Tqual Grants programme, the Rudd Labor Government is spending less on tourism, at a time of crisis, than the Coalition was when it left office.

“The $8.5 million Tqual Grants programme is a shot in the arm for Australian tourism businesses, however, it falls well short of the $1 billion of additional tourism taxes introduced by the Rudd Labor Government last year, which is adding to job uncertainty.

“There is no doubt the Tqual Grants programme, offering grants between $5,000 and $500,000, will support Australian tourism businesses, however the Coalition insists Labor must not use the funds to pork-barrel.

“The tourism grants must be assessed appropriately to help protect tourism jobs and create additional positions that have been lost as a result of the economic crisis and Labor’s $1 billion in extra tourism taxes which has exacerbated the challenges facing the tourism sector.

“The Tqual grants belong to the Australian people to help with the long-term development of tourism businesses, products or services, and keep people employed in tourism, rather than be handed out from a pork barrel to boost Labor’s election chances.”