Page 1750 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 17 October 1989
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encourage the Canberra Tourist Bureau staff to ensure that when they are responding to requests for information on tourism establishments from visitors to the ACT they do not forget the smaller operators in this business and that they ensure that they get a fair shake in any responses to indications of the need for accommodation or the use of other services in the tourism industry in the ACT. The Rally is committed to raising any concerns that some of these smaller operators may have in this area.
I also note with interest the promotion by the Tourist Bureau to remind non-Canberra residents that we are easily reached by car or bus. Despite some problems for the convention industry because of the pilots strike, our tourist industry seems to have coped reasonably well. The Rally will be watching with interest the figures on this matter when they are produced.
Before I leave the subject of tourism I think it is appropriate that I raise the important issue of assessment of the dollars that we spend on promotion. I am sure that the Tourist Bureau will carefully monitor expenditure in this area. It is not much good pouring dollars down the drain unless we can be assured that those dollars are hitting the mark and that we are getting the maximum benefit for our area. The expenditure of $1.9m, Mr Speaker, on a promotional budget is quite small, and it is appropriate that we look at that.
But now I return to planning issues. The Rally strongly supports the move to establish links within our region. I note the Chief Minister's recent announcement on the signing of formal agreements between the ACT and the New South Wales governments which identify a number of areas in which close cooperation between neighbours is required. The Rally looks forward to the development of this process, and my colleague Mr Collaery will ably represent us in the meetings mentioned in this forum.
However, before leaving this matter, I must state some concerns about the recent decision to remove cross-border representation from the ACT Bush Fire Council. Unfortunately, as we in this dry country all know so well, particularly those of us who have lived in the country areas, fires do not stop at State boundaries. I trust that Minister Grassby will reconsider this decision as we move into a time of possible threat.
Some people who are currently living on the land and also members of our ACT Parks and Conservation Service to whom I have spoken recently, particularly those at the lower level, are concerned about the potential for problems at this time of the year because of the good growing season that we had and the rains at the beginning of the year. It is in this context of our responsibility to our neighbours that I raise this concern. I trust, Mr Speaker, that Minister Grassby will reconsider her decisions in this area.
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