Gold Coast MP Angie Bell praises theme parks in newsletter days before Federal loan negotiations collapse
A Gold Coast MP has been left red-faced after sending out a newsletter making claims about federal support for theme parks in the same week negotiations collapsed.
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A GOLD Coast MP praised the city’s theme parks and stressed their role in the “road to recovery” just days before the Federal Government walked away from park loan negotiations.
In a newsletter to Moncrieff residents delivered this week, Federal MP Angie Bell labelled Gold Coast theme parks a “major drawcard” for the area.
But a few days later the Bulletin revealed bridging loan negotiations – which would have delivered millions in federal funding support – had suddenly collapsed.
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The decision meant eight-figure loans earmarked for Village Roadshow and Ardent Leisure’s Dreamworld to support them through the coronavirus downturn had been taken off the table.
In Ms Bell’s newsletter, she said she had held a meeting with Village Roadshow, Dreamworld and Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham to discuss “how best to support our tourism icons”.
“Our theme parks are a major drawcard for our region and deliver huge positive flow-on effects to our local economy,” it read.
“They bring thousands of visitors to the Gold Coast who then spend millions of dollars visiting other attractions, staying in local hotels and dining in local restaurants.”
She also referenced a $94.6 million support package for zoos and theme parks as a boost for the city and the tourism industry.
Asked for comment on the newsletter in the wake of the negotiations fallout, she said: “When you take into consideration (the support package) and JobKeeper, the Federal Government support for the parks now exceeds $80 million.
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“I know how much families from across Australia love our theme parks and we look forward to welcoming them back once there is certainty around the borders reopening.
“This is the key piece to restarting our economy, tourism industry and supporting our theme parks and jobs now and into the future.”
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