Jason Wood (La Trobe, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Justice and Public Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I want to inform the House of one of the great concerns in my electorate at the moment, and that is the way the tourism industry is suffering significantly and financially in the Dandenong Ranges. First of all, I would like to thank Dandenong Ranges Tourism and its president, Ron Hurley, and make a special mention of Mike Axel. They have been great ambassadors for tourism in the hills. With all their members I congratulate them for their hard work and for putting so much time into making tourism something very special for people who visit the Dandenong Ranges. I also must thank the vast number of volunteers in the Upper Ferntree Gully tourist information centre, who are doing an amazing job. Last year, I think, they had over 20,000 visitors. To give you an idea of the way tourism has suffered, from August 2007 to August 2008 tourism was up 20 per cent. Lately it has diminished. We drastically need urgent action to be taken.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! It being 8 pm, the debate is interrupted.