Negative Liberals Fail to Understand Tourism Budget

12 June 2009

The Minister for Tourism, Michelle O’Byrne, said the Liberals had been caught out by their own laziness in understanding Tasmania’s tourism budget.

Ms O’Byrne said the Liberals had obviously failed to listen to the Treasurer when he said that the tourism marketing and advertising budget would be quarantined from the State Government’s previously announced 30 per cent advertising and marketing savings by government agencies.

“There is no cut to the tourism marketing budget; this is a Liberal fallacy caused by either complete laziness or an obsession with being negative.

“Apart from required agency efficiency dividends, the only alteration to Tourism Tasmania’s overall budget this year is accounted for in the fact that the State Government has made a decision to divest itself of the Tasmania Temptations Holidays wholesale tourism business – a move welcomed by the tourism industry.

“Because this 30-year-old business no longer has relevance in the tourism marketplace, and its revenues have declined dramatically, Tourism Tasmania would be forced to spend about $3 million from its own budget to keep it afloat operationally.

“With the divestment to take place this year, there is no requirement for Tourism Tasmania to provide this support to the business.

“The State Government realises the immense benefit tourism has for our economy, and this is why our marketing strategies in recent years have delivered record visitor numbers to our State.

“Unlike the Liberals, who have no plan for tourism in Tasmania, the State Government is managing the Budget responsibly, supporting tourism jobs and ensuring our economy remains on-track at a time when global financial pressures are upon us,” Ms O’Byrne said.

“I challenge the Liberals to present a fully-costed tourism budget strategy to the Tasmanian public through an alternative budget.”

Further information: Rohan Wade (03) 6336 2443 or 0417 051 255