Tourism Industry

Mr PAUL McLEAY: My question without notice is to the Minister for Tourism. Can the Minister update the House on the Iemma Government's plans to commit an extra $40 million in funds to implement the O'Neill report into tourism?

Mr MATT BROWN: I thank the honourable member for his question and his ongoing interest in tourism. The O'Neill report is just the first step in a new partnership with industry to develop a new strategy to grow tourism in this State. The Iemma Government is backing it up and putting its money where its mouth is. An extra $40 million will go into the tourism budget—that is $40 million extra to the $85 million—

The SPEAKER: Order! Members of the Opposition will cease interjecting.

Mr MATT BROWN: —that the Premier announced late last year and again this year. The Iemma Government knows the importance of tourism for our economy and for jobs. We are determined to get the strategy right and to grow tourism. We knew we could do tourism better. That is why we commissioned the O'Neill review in the first place. Since the O'Neill review was tabled it has given us a number of ticks, showing that the Iemma Government is getting it right. Number one, it has given the Government a big tick on its emphasis on aviation policy. Number two, it has given us a big tick for working with other Government departments, such as in opening up national parks to attract more visitors, and the work I am doing with the Minister for Climate Change and the Environment. Number three, we got a big tick for high yield tourists, not just numbers, and a big tick in relation to emerging markets such as China and India, where the Premier has already had successful trade missions.

The SPEAKER: Order! There is too much audible conversation. Members will come to order.

Mr MATT BROWN: The review also talks about ways that we could do things differently, in particular our promotion and marketing. The first thing is to get this three-month strategy right. We have opened up consultation with industry and have already had our first meeting, and it was terrific. Representatives from regions right across the State and operators from across the State, big and small, are working through our strategy with the board and other Government departments, facilitated by Dr Col Gellatly, who stimulated some very good discussion and debate at that forum. We will be moving ahead with that to meet our timeline in three months. Industry likes some parts of the O'Neill review and some parts it does not like. Everybody agrees on one thing—we can really strengthen the brand of Sydney. Brand Sydney is a very important aspect of our tourism market. A strong Sydney also means strong regions. It is one of the best selling points we could have. We are going to get Brand Sydney absolutely right. Brand Sydney is not just about a tagline or logo and it is not just to do with tourism. It is about the essence of our capital city in this State. It is about the only global city that this country has and about its spirit.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Terrigal will leave the Chamber if he wishes to have a meeting.

Mr MATT BROWN: This is typical of the Opposition approach to tourism. What we are doing is not just about tourism; it is also about investment, business, innovation, lifestyle and education. That is why we are going to get Brand Sydney absolutely spot on. While these guys opposite carry on with the same rubbish, downplaying Sydney and the State and saying moronic things like Sydney has lost its mojo. Let me tell them that Sydney has bucket loads of mojo. Members have only to look at any survey—

The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for South Coast to order.

Mr MATT BROWN: It is unfortunate about the member for South Coast. She scares tourists away from her seat. Sydney has a bucket load of mojo and it is proven in any survey that members want to look at, whether it is Conde Nast or the Inhalt survey, Sydney is right up there at the top and more often than not it is actually number one. We are going to continue with that strategy. As I mentioned before, a strong Sydney will produce strength in the regions. Only yesterday I announced flagship funding—

The SPEAKER: Order! There is too much audible conversation. Members will conduct themselves appropriately.

Mr MATT BROWN: We have just announced the Regional Flagship Events Program is open for regional events right across the State. There has already been a lot of interest from regional radio across the State because people in the regions know just how important the events are to their area. It gives them an excellent opportunity to show off what the region has to offer and creates events that attract extra visitors to the regions, stimulating the local economy and jobs. I know a lot of Opposition members probably do not like to hear this, but this flagship funding has delivered millions of dollars to our regions, not just in direct government funds but also a lot more in private sector funds, and it is working extremely well.

There are many projects and members will probably be aware of a number of them, but to take one off the top of my head, I refer to the Illawarra Folk Festival. That has been a terrific event for the whole Illawarra. There is also the mighty Ironfest at Lithgow, which has proved to be popular. I refer also to the Mudgee Wine Celebration, which has been very successful. There might have been a submission for the "Laughing Liberal Festival" but they could not find anything there! Members opposite certainly managed to prove the point, as Ray Williams did again today, that you do not have to have a long neck to be a goose.

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

Mr MATT BROWN: The flagship funding is either a $10,000 one-off grant or $20,000 a year for three years.

The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Coffs Harbour to order.

Mr MATT BROWN: It is there to help regional economies. During the whole review process, O'Neill spoke about what an important program that is. The Iemma Government is committed not only to implementing the recommendations of the O'Neill review but also to backing it up with an extra $40 million and supporting our regions through the flagship program. That is the big difference between the Opposition and us. We are getting on with the job.

The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Terrigal to order.