THE HON JASON CLARE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT
SHADOW MINISTER FOR RESOURCES AND NORTHERN AUSTRALIA
MEMBER FOR BLAXLAND
MICHAEL HEALY
LABOR CANDIDATE FOR CAIRNS
LABOR PLANS FOR CAIRNS INTERNATIONAL TOURISM BOOST
Labor is planning for an international tourism spending boost in Cairns by pushing for more direct international flights and cruise ship visits to Cairns, meaning more tourists spending their money on local tourist attractions.
Labor candidate for Cairns, Michael Healy said “One in five local jobs in Cairns are in the tourism Industry.”
“Through our Attracting Tourism Fund, a re-elected Palaszczuk Government will secure more international flights and cruise ship visits to Cairns, and we will make sure those tourists are spending their money right here in local businesses, helping create more local jobs.”
“Already Labor has secured a record number of direct international flights to Cairns, and twice as many cruiselines compared to the last year of the Newman-Nicholls LNP Government. There’s more work to do and a re-elected Palaszczuk Government will keep on delivering for tourism in Cairns.”
“We are also investing $120 million to upgrade the Cairns Port to support tourism growth as well as investing $176 million to upgrade the Convention Centre.”
Bill Shorten and Federal Labor have welcomed Annastacia Palaszczuk and Michael Healy’s tourism plan, and will back it up with a $1 billion commitment to transform tourism infrastructure in Northern Australia.
Federal Shadow Minister for Northern Australia Jason Clare said: “Annastacia Palaszczuk and Queensland Labor are delivering for tourism in Cairns.”
“Cairns sits on the doorstep of the world’s fastest growing middle class in Asia. By 2030, there will be three billion middle class consumers just to our north.”
“Labor wants them to come here for their holidays. We want to see more bums on beaches and more tourists visiting and exploring our reefs and rainforests.”
“That means providing the infrastructure, like the ports and airports needed to get them here, which is why Federal Labor is stumping up $1 billion to support tourism infrastructure in places like Cairns.”
Mr Healy said ”Our progress will all be placed at risk under a Tim Nicholls and One Nation coalition of chaos and cuts.”
“Tim Nicholls and Campbell Newman ripped $188 million out of the tourism industry last time they were in power. By contrast Labor delivered a four-year $400 million funding guarantee for tourism.”
“One Nation will put our Great Barrier at risk by demanding the removal of the Great Barrier Reef’s World Heritage Status.”
TUESDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 2017
MEDIA CONTACT: 02 9790 2466
