Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I'm not familiar with Dr Johnson, but what I do know is that the tourism package itself will take more tourists to our hotels and our cafes while taking tours and basically exploring their own backyards. That will mean more jobs and opportunities for investment for the tourism and aviation sectors.

It is important for local communities, especially in regional Australia, that we will continue to financially support flights which are so key to health services, employment opportunities and social activities. The half-price ticket program will initially operate in 13 key regions which include the Gold Coast, Cairns and Townsville, the Whitsundays and Mackay region, both Proserpine Island and Hamilton Island, the Sunshine Coast, Darwin, Lasseter and Alice Springs, Launceston, Hobart, Devonport and Burnie, Broome, Avalon, Merimbula, Adelaide and Kangaroo Island. In this chamber in recent weeks and months, I have responded to questions on these issues, particularly around Tasmania and around Queensland, and I note that— (Time expired)