Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Science and Research) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Gallacher for his excellent supplementary question. Forty five cents in every dollar spent on tourism in Australia is spent in regional destinations. There were nearly two million international visitors to regional Australia in the year 2012 and collectively they spent about $3 billion. Domestically, there were 47 million visitors to regional Australia and they spent more than $23 billion.

Clearly, tourism is an integral part of the local economy for many regional areas. The labour statistics suggest that tourism's contribution to regional economies is growing. International tourists are increasingly looking for uniquely Australian experiences, many of which are in our regions. Australian holidaymakers are visiting our regions more often and spending more time and more money in those areas, which is supporting local jobs and regional economies, even in Far North Queensland, Senator. This government's support for regional tourism is helping the industry to— (Time expired)