Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Tourism and International Education) Share this | Hansard source

I am so delighted that the opposition is so excited about Australia's marketing campaign! It was actually a delight to see Senator Urquhart there this morning. I hope she enjoyed the 3-D opportunities to see the aquatic and coastal campaign. Terri Butler, who is the chair of the Labor Party tourism committee, was there and she was enjoying it.

Tourism is a very important industry for the country. It employs close to a million people—90 per cent of them Australians. It is a very important sector. The aquatic and coastal campaign is designed to build on and promote Australia's natural attributes. That is the point. It is based on very sincere and strong marketing campaigns and it is about demonstrating to the world the attributes of the country.

Industry will actually be able to participate in this campaign. We invite industry to submit to the campaign their views on what makes Australia such a wonderful place to visit.