Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets with tourism leaders in Burleigh, promises to help boost sector
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has revealed what he really thinks of the Gold Coast light rail after taking a ride on the tram through LNP heartland.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese got a rock-star welcome in LNP heartland as he campaigned to win votes on the Gold Coast.
Mr Albanese met voters and took selfies galore while riding on the Gold Coast light rail system he helped fund the first stage of more than a decade ago.
Mr Albanese was riding the tram while campaigning in the safe LNP seat of Fadden on Tuesday, which Labor is hoping to win in an “against the odds” contest.
Giving an impromptu media conference on the tram, Mr Albanese talked up the success of the public transport network ahead of a business case on the multi-billion dollar Burleigh to the border stage being submitted to the federal government for funding.
“This has been an incredibly fantastic project and shows the difference that a federal government which understands infrastructure can make,” he said.
“We will look at the business case …. we have a review of new infrastructure investments to make sure we get value for money.
“It’s a great project, I have been informed it recently surpassed 70 million passengers and it is making a huge difference to the people here on the Gold Coast and during the Commonwealth Games.
“We have made a substantial commitment to the Olympic Games which will be held here in less than a decade’s time and we will continue to work with the Queensland government on these issues.
“On infrastructure projects we will look at the business case and look at where the dollars are going and where they will make a difference.”
The state government and council-funded business case into the Stage 4 extension is expected to be completed within weeks.
Council budget papers released earlier in June reveal $8.8m has been put aside for the planned Burleigh Heads to the border tramline on top of $27m for the under-construction Stage 3 from Broadbeach to Burleigh.
Sources close to the project expect council and state funding to be locked in by the end of 2024, with federal funding likely to follow in the pre-election 2025 budget.
This would allow construction to begin in 2026 or early 2027 before being completed in 2030, enabling trams to be tested and bedded-in before the 2032 Olympic Games.
‘So much to offer’: Albo’s pledge to tourism bosses
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has vowed to throw the federal government’s resources behind boosting the Gold Coast tourism sector.
Mr Albanese held a tourism round table with industry leaders at Burleigh on Tuesday afternoon in his second visit to the city since taking the nation’s top job.
Mr Albanese said industry leaders had impressed upon him the importance of rebuilding the tourism sector, which was left shattered by the Covid-19 pandemic and two years of closed borders.
“They have raised with me the opportunities which are here for further growth on the Gold Coast, everything from attracting students to transport infrastructure needs, attracting more skilled workers and increasing international inbound tourism,” he said.
“I am a former tourism spokesperson and I understand that it can bring sustainable jobs, growth and economic activity which will benefit the whole country and on the back of Covid, it is important that government gives support for the tourism industry.
“The Gold Coast has so much to offer, it is one of the great destinations of the world and we need to showcase it and as the Prime Minister, something I spoke to them about was ways I could assist in that.”
Mr Albanese said any tourism measures would go through the government process before being implemented.
Among those who attended the roundtable at Tropic restaurant were Destination Gold Coast interim chief operating officer Rachel Hancock and chairwoman Adrianne Readings, Events Queensland CEO Ben Manion, Study Gold Coast boss Jennine Tax, Village Roadshow CEO Clark Kirby, tourism supremo Paul Donovan and Gold Coast Light Rail Business Advisory Group chairman Steven Harrison.
Mr Albanese later travelled to Runaway Bay Community Centre where he launched Labor’s campaign for the seat of Fadden.
Standing alongside the party’s candidate, Letitia Del Fabbro, Mr Albanese said Labor were facing an “against the odds” battle for the safe LNP seat and took aim its former Member Stuart Robert, whose resignation triggered the by-election.
“All of you know the odds we are up against (and) all of you know how hard this mountain will be to climb,” he told the party faithful.
“Letitia Del Fabbro understands that running in a safe LNP seat is hard work at the best of times and in a federal by-election under the national spotlight, it’s even tougher.
“Stuart Robert (has resigned) from parliament having presided over one of the most shocking and cruel failures in the history of Australian politics: Robodebt.
“Letitia Del Fabbro exemplifies the very best of the Australian character.”
Ms Del Fabbro is one of 13 candidates, including the LNP’s Cameron Caldwell, contesting the seat in a July 15 by-election.
Mr Albanese said he remained optimistic that Australia would vote in favour of an Indiginous voice to parliament at the upcoming referendum, expected to be held in October.
“I’m optimistic the Australian people will vote yes to unify our nation, to celebrate the 65,000 years of history we share and to make a practical difference to the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” he said.
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