Dr LIM - 1998-08-20
I see that the season is so busy for the tourism industry in central Australia that many operators are having to put up ‘no vacancy’ signs. Coming from central Australia, I am really pleased to witness this happy state of affairs. I understand the tourism industry can look forward to new holiday packages which will tempt even more travellers to the Territory. Is the Chief Minister able to tell Territorians more about this?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question. Before answering, however, I take the opportunity to comment on the previous question. Would the member for Fannie Bay tell me she has never rented or watched an X-rated video?
Ms Martin: I have.
Mr Coulter: But never inhaled!
Mr Adamson: Kept her eyes closed!
Mr STONE: ‘Leave me alone!’ What a disgraceful little episode that was, you know.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr STONE: Madam Speaker, moving to the question that has been asked …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Chief Minister, answer the question.
Mr STONE: It is not show and tell, all right? It is absolutely okay.
It is an excellent question from the member for Greatorex. The tourism industry is booming in the Territory, particularly in central Australia. I picked out 2 headlines from the Centralian Advocate. The first said: ‘No Vacancy Signs Out Across Centre Resort’. That is certainly the case down there. The other headline was: ‘4000 Will Head This Way for the Masters’. For a city of 25 000 people, that is a tremendous input to the local economy. And it does not end in Alice Springs. It applies regionally and even out to Ayers Rock. I am told that, unless people book, they cannot get a bed at Ayers Rock because they are so busy there. Some 4000 people are heading down to the Masters Games. That will include, of course, a large number of Territorians, among them our own member for Nightcliff.
It has not just happened. The Northern Territory Tourist Commission has embarked on an intensive campaign all round Australia. We have been promoting holiday packages and seasonal specials aimed at attracting visitors, not only to central Australia but also to the Top End, including Nhulunbuy and Katherine. This has been enormously successful.
Let me provide examples of some packages. Air travel from Sydney, with 3 nights in 3-star accommodation at Alice Springs, is available from $525. A Top End holiday with air travel from Adelaide and 3 nights in 3-star accommodation at Darwin costs $707. Our tourism industry is alive and well. These winter package sales boosted visitor-nights in Alice Springs alone by 5731. I know that you, Madam Speaker, as the member for Braitling in Alice Springs, will be interested to receive this information. The campaign has put $1m into the economy in the short term. I congratulate all those who have been involved in the campaign and all the hardworking staff at the Northern Territory Tourist Commission.
I become disappointed when people such as the member for Wanguri endeavour to create the impression that our tourists will be making their way to offshore destinations like Bali. That is clearly not the case. I reiterate what I said yesterday. The tax package works for the tourism industry in the Territory. It will ensure that we build even more on what we have achieved in recent times. It is a great tax package. It is a great opportunity for Territorians, and Warren Snowdon must be pulling his hair out by this stage.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I welcome the question. Before answering, however, I take the opportunity to comment on the previous question. Would the member for Fannie Bay tell me she has never rented or watched an X-rated video?
Ms Martin: I have.
Mr Coulter: But never inhaled!
Mr Adamson: Kept her eyes closed!
Mr STONE: ‘Leave me alone!’ What a disgraceful little episode that was, you know.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr STONE: Madam Speaker, moving to the question that has been asked …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Chief Minister, answer the question.
Mr STONE: It is not show and tell, all right? It is absolutely okay.
It is an excellent question from the member for Greatorex. The tourism industry is booming in the Territory, particularly in central Australia. I picked out 2 headlines from the Centralian Advocate. The first said: ‘No Vacancy Signs Out Across Centre Resort’. That is certainly the case down there. The other headline was: ‘4000 Will Head This Way for the Masters’. For a city of 25 000 people, that is a tremendous input to the local economy. And it does not end in Alice Springs. It applies regionally and even out to Ayers Rock. I am told that, unless people book, they cannot get a bed at Ayers Rock because they are so busy there. Some 4000 people are heading down to the Masters Games. That will include, of course, a large number of Territorians, among them our own member for Nightcliff.
It has not just happened. The Northern Territory Tourist Commission has embarked on an intensive campaign all round Australia. We have been promoting holiday packages and seasonal specials aimed at attracting visitors, not only to central Australia but also to the Top End, including Nhulunbuy and Katherine. This has been enormously successful.
Let me provide examples of some packages. Air travel from Sydney, with 3 nights in 3-star accommodation at Alice Springs, is available from $525. A Top End holiday with air travel from Adelaide and 3 nights in 3-star accommodation at Darwin costs $707. Our tourism industry is alive and well. These winter package sales boosted visitor-nights in Alice Springs alone by 5731. I know that you, Madam Speaker, as the member for Braitling in Alice Springs, will be interested to receive this information. The campaign has put $1m into the economy in the short term. I congratulate all those who have been involved in the campaign and all the hardworking staff at the Northern Territory Tourist Commission.
I become disappointed when people such as the member for Wanguri endeavour to create the impression that our tourists will be making their way to offshore destinations like Bali. That is clearly not the case. I reiterate what I said yesterday. The tax package works for the tourism industry in the Territory. It will ensure that we build even more on what we have achieved in recent times. It is a great tax package. It is a great opportunity for Territorians, and Warren Snowdon must be pulling his hair out by this stage.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016