Sustainable Sport NEWS

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s first post-election Cabinet reshuffle has included the appointment of Steve Ciobo as the new Minister representing the tourism sector.

Minister Ciobo was appointed to the portfolio’s of Trade, Tourism and Investment, and will be aided by Keith Pitt as Assistant Minister for Trade, Investment and Tourism

Previous Tourism Minister Richard Colbeck was dropped from the ministry as may not retain his Tasmanian senate seat.

Prime Minister Turnbull acknowledged Senator Colbeck for his service but advised “I have decided not to reappoint Senator Colbeck whom I also thank for his service as a minister.”

He added that if Colbeck did manage to hold his seat, there would be no barrier to his returning to the ministry “in due course”.

Welcoming the appointments, Tourism Accommodation Association Chair, and former Federal Cabinet Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson, said it was essential for tourism to have a voice at the Cabinet table.

Ferguson stated “(we) welcome Steve Ciobo and Keith Pitt to their roles of guiding tourism and hospitality towards achieving the objectives set out in the Tourism 2020 plan, which were established when I was the Minister responsible for tourism.

“It is clear that the shape of our economy is changing rapidly, with service sector industries such as tourism becoming first-tier industries with the brightest prospects for growing export earnings and creating jobs. We are currently in the most dynamic expansionary phase ever in terms of hotel construction and tourism infrastructure growth and it will be essential that the Government support the industry through positive policies and a reduction in barriers.

“The fact that a regionally-based MP has been appointed Assistant Minister is encouraging, because it is in regional Australia where we face some of the greatest challenges confronting the industry. In particular, the backpacker tax is threatening the supply of labour to regional areas and the Government needs to act quickly to confirm that the measure will be suspended permanently.

“It is also essential that temporary skilled migration channels are made more flexible to overcome shortages of labour in regional and remote areas, while at the same time, we are calling on government to support major training and career development programs to help fuel the industry’s expansion.

“Inbound annual growth is currently running at 9.3%, and the latest Tourism Research Australia figures predict that by 2019/20, total overnight expenditure will reach $127 billion, which makes tourism an integral component of the trade, tourism and investment portfolio and worthy of serious consideration at the Cabinet table.”

Assistant Minister Pitt, a former sugar cane farmer from Bundaberg is the National Party member for Hinkler in regional Queensland.

Outgoing Minister Colbeck said yesterday he was “extremely disappointed” to be axed , adding “but I have to agree with the Prime Minister that the need to finalise a new team and the uncertainty relating to my Senate seat made it impossible to wait – the business of Government is much bigger than any individual.”

Colbeck said it had been a “real privilege” to work to continue the strong growth in the tourism sector.

The Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF) also welcomed the appointments, with Chief Executive Margy Osmond stating “Prime Minister Turnbull has won re-election for the Coalition on a positive platform of an economic plan to seize the opportunities on the horizon for Australia for which they should be heartily congratulated.

“Congratulations to Steven Ciobo on his appointment as Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. He has been a great advocate for the industry and we look forward to continuing working with him.

"TTF has been a strong advocate of the need to elevate the tourism portfolio in the national economic debate. It's a fantastic outcome to see the tourism sector recognized in Minister Ciobo's Cabinet title and is proof of this governments understanding of the industry's importance to the success of Australia's future economy.

Environment, Sport and the Arts
In a move unlikely to please advocates for better protection of the Great Barrier Reef, Josh Frydenberg, formerly the Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia, has had his portfolio extended to include both environment.

Minister Frydenberg has previously been dubbed 'Mr Coal' for his advocacy for the use of the fossil fuels.

Senator Mitch Fifield’s role as Minister for Communication and the Arts remains unchanged while Sussan Ley stays as Minister for Health and Minister for Sport and Recreation.

Images (from top): Steve Ciobo, Minister for Trade, Investment and Tourism; Martin Ferguson and Keith Pitt, Assistant Minister for Trade, Investment and Tourism

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8th March 2016 - TOURISM REPRESENTATIVES HIGHLIGHT VALUE OF THE VISITOR ECONOMY TO GOVERNMENT

12th December 2014 - ANGER OVER AUSTRALIA’S WITHDRAWL FROM UNWTO

29th July 2010 - COALITION PLEDGES TO BACK BUSINESS EVENTS TOURISM 

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