Colbeck, Sen Richard

Senator COLBECK (Tasmania—Minister for Tourism and International Education and Minister Assisting the Minister for Trade and Investment) (14:48): The sudden enthusiasm from the opposition for the tourism industry is very welcome I have to say. The government does recognise the importance of the tourism industry, particularly to regional areas such as Tasmania. It is a very important industry in regional Australia. Last year 45 per cent —which amounts to $42.7 billion—of tourism expenditure was spent in regional Australia. To support this industry, earlier this year the Australian and the Tasmanian governments announced almost $800,000 in funding to boost tourism infrastructure in Tasmania. The project— (Time expired)