The Hon Bob Baldwin MP

Shadow Minister for Tourism and Regional Development

Joanna Gash MP

Federal Member for Gilmore

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

Gilmore MP, Joanna Gash today hosted the Hon. Bob Baldwin MP, Shadow Minister for Tourism and Regional Development on the South Coast of NSW for a meeting with local tourism operators and industry leaders.  It was chance for them both to hear at first hand the challenges they are facing.

Bob Baldwin said his visit was also part of the Coalition’s ‘Staycation’ initiative to encourage Australians to spend their money at home and support local restaurants, hotels, tourist attractions and other tourism operators.

“Tourism is a vital employer in the Gilmore electorate with nearly 7% of employed in this sector.  Jo invited me here today to meet with tourism operators in order to hear from them on the challenges they are facing as tourism operators in a regional area - including how the job destroying Carbon Tax will be impacting their businesses.” Mr Baldwin said.

“Today’s discussions made one key thing clear. Although inbound tourism is a large contributor to the tourism sector’s turnover, activity by Australians holidaying at home is far more important for the national accounts and for the survival of local tourism businesses” Bob Baldwin remarked.

“The tourism sector has been ‘doing it tough’ due to the high dollar, short sighted tax grabs and inconsistent government policy. This is why Australians should remember that there is no shortage of diverse holidays to enjoy at home. This includes New South Wales’s South Coast where there are holidays for every taste and budget.”

Mr Baldwin also took the opportunity to show his support for Ann Sudmalis who will be theLiberal Candidate for Gilmore at the next election when Mrs Gash will be retiring.

Mr Baldwin and Mrs Gash first toured the impressive Dunn & Lewis Youth Development Foundation’s flagship centre, before meeting tourism and business leaders in meetings in both Ulladulla and Huskisson.

The foundation’s mission is to provide access to services and create new opportunities for all youth to live their best lives. The complex will include a Café, a 120 seat Conference Room, an Auditorium as well as a Gymnasium and culinary training school and TAFE facility when it is completed.

Gilmore MP, Joanna Gash said that many tourism operators in Gilmore were already struggling under the cost pressures of the Carbon Tax.

“In my electorate, the Tourism industry is comprised of primarily small, ‘mum and dad’ type businesses, which are already struggling due to pressures from seasonal visitation and fast-rising supply costs,” Mrs Gash said.

“These businesses pointed out today the desperately low tolerance they have for any further shock moves by the Gillard Labor Government like the $8 hike on Australia’s tax on international tourists, the Passenger Movement Charge (PMC).

“Whilst Labor doesn’t seem to understand the importance of Tourism to our regional economy here on the South Coast, the Coalition does, and it has another way.

“I thank Bob Baldwin for taking the time out of his busy schedule to talk to local Tourism operators in Ulladulla and Huskisson, and look forward to hosting him again in the future,” Mrs Gash concluded.

25 July 2012