Cairns tourism leaders sit down with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk
The reallocation of an estimated $100m of state and federal funding formed a key pillar in a pitch to the Queensland Premier from Cairns tourism leaders.
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THE reallocation of an estimated $100m of state and federal funding formed a key pillar in a pitch to the Queensland Premier from Cairns tourism leaders, following a last-minute meeting invitation.
Advance Cairns and Tourism Tropical North Queensland sat down with Annastacia Palaszczuk, deputy premier Steven Miles and Cairns-based Labor MPs Michael Healy, Curtis Pitt, Craig Crawford and Cynthia Lui in Brisbane to flesh out what they hope is a plan to repair a sinking Far North economy.
The possibility of redirecting $100m from the $600m business support package to create a wage subsidy scheme is one of the hoped outcomes of ongoing discussions, also set to involve the Morrison government.
Advance Cairns chairman Nick Trompf applauded the opportunity to present damning data to the state leaders highlighting the “complete collapse” of airport arrivals and Great Barrier Reef charters.
“The data that was presented today gave her the gravity of the situation as it stands, and she took it on board,” he said.
“They listened, they asked questions, and they were aware that the Far North was the hardest hit by the lockdowns and we need a targeted response.”
Ms Palaszczuk said it was great to meet with the community leaders.
“Their advocacy is so important during these tough times,” she said.
“My local members of parliament continue to be with this region every step of the way as we chart a way through the global pandemic.”
Mr Trompf said the premier also confirmed she planned on visiting Cairns when feasible.
“She was last in Cairns when things were looking very favourable,” Mr Trompf said. “Bookings were great, forward numbers looked tremendous and we were in a sunshine period.
“Then the Delta storm arrived and that turned into a category five cyclone for the region.”
Mr Trompf, chief executive Dr Paul Sparshott and TTNQ chairman Ken Chapman will also meet with treasury members on Thursday and Friday.
“We’re told up to $300m of the business support package is sitting there,” Mr Trompf said.
“So we discussed the reallocation of those funds, we might need $100 million, and we are pushing that should come to the hardest hit regions.
“And the top of the pile is Far North Queensland.”
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