Regional Tourism

Mr FRANK TERENZINI: My question is addressed to the Minister for Tourism. What action is the Government taking to support the tourism industry and regional New South Wales?

Ms JODI MCKAY: I thank the member for Maitland for his interest in an industry that is delivering economic benefits to regional communities in New South Wales. We are spreading the word on affordable holidays, extraordinary destinations and amazing experiences in our great State. Today I am very pleased to inform the House about one of the true success stories of regional tourism, that is, the Regional Flagships Event Program. In 2009 the Government will invest $412,000 in grants and marketing to help grow and promote events across regional New South Wales.

The SPEAKER: Order! Members will cease interjecting.

Ms JODI MCKAY: Twenty-one events and festivals will receive either a one-year $10,000 grant or a $20,000 grant every year for three years. Ten new events will receive funds for the first time, including the 2009 Big Joke Comedy Festival in Bangalow. I am sure the local member, Don Page, will be there.

The SPEAKER: Order! The House will come to order.

Ms JODI MCKAY: Another event is the Brunswick Heads Bikes and Kites Festival, an ecofriendly event also in the electorate of the member for Ballina.

Mr Donald Page: Point of order: I acknowledge the comment made by the Minister for Tourism about the Big Joke Comedy Festival in Bangalow. She was invited to come along as the big joke but she was unable to attend.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Ballina will resume his seat.

Mr Donald Page: I make the point that the O'Neill report said—

The SPEAKER: Order! The member will resume his seat. The Minister will direct her comments through the Chair.

Ms JODI MCKAY: I will. Another event that has received support under our Regional Flagships Event Program and of which you, Mr Speaker, are a big supporter, is Opera in the Paddock in Delungra. I hope the member for Albury will attend some of the celebrations at the Corowa Festival Event, including dancing exhibitions in the main street of Corowa. Other events are the Lightning Ridge Easter Festival, which is a fabulous event in the electorate of the member for Barwon; Red Desert Live in Broken Hill, a fabulous event in which the member for Murray-Darling can enjoy a celebration of contemporary music, film and local arts; and the Temora Flying Weekends, where the member for Murrumbidgee can view a world-class aerobatic air show of military aircraft.

The Regional Flagships Event Program is a fantastic initiative that showcases regional events across New South Wales. Our funding has helped these events grow and become so successful that they no longer need support from the flagships program, which has been running since 1996. The House should note that since then the Government has invested nearly $4.2 million to support 187 regional events across New South Wales. These events attract thousands of visitors. As many members would testify, these events are run by members of the local community and involve local producers, artists, craftspeople and musicians. They also bring the community together and instil a sense of pride. Most importantly, they generate income and create jobs in the local community. In the past year regional New South Wales attracted more than 47 million visitors and generated more than $11 billion from tourists. That is almost 80,000 tourism jobs in regional New South Wales.

As part of the New South Wales Tourism strategy the Rees Government is investing an additional $10.5 million over three years to help grow regional tourism. Unfortunately, as we have heard, the shadow Minister for Tourism has criticised our investment in this industry. I am not sure whom he has been listening to, but I suggest that he talk to his colleague the member for Barwon who last week in the Spectator congratulated us and said, "Tourism NSW is showing a real commitment to promoting and showcasing outback New South Wales." I thank the member for Barwon for the support he showed the international managers who visited his area.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Barwon will cease interjecting and thank the Minister after question time.

Ms JODI MCKAY: We are not just doing it in the outback; we are delivering across the State. The Chairman of Blue Mountains Tourism, Randall Walker, says our investment is one of the most significant commitments in 20 years in the industry. I know that the member for Blue Mountains shares those sentiments. Kathy Balodis from Mid North Coast Regional Tourism says we are opening up a whole new era in tourism promotion and growth, which I am sure the new member for Port Macquarie will be pleased to hear. Our tourism strategy and our regional flagship event program are helping to stimulate jobs, investment and growth in New South Wales. We know that our regions are vital to New South Wales tourism and we know that tourism is vital to our regions.