Labor Shadow Tourism Minister Wayne Berry has announced that under a Labor Government there will a major review of the Territory’s Government Tourism body - the Canberra Tourism and Events Corporation.
Mr Berry said, "Concern about the operations of CTEC have been growing for sometime, but the blowout in costs of the V8 car race and the commercial-in-confidence payments to the organisers, reported to be about $800,000, was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
"Add to this: -
- the controversial move of CTEC’s headquarters to Canberra Airport,
- the imbroglio around the Floriade fee, the fences, the night sessions and even its location,
- the fall off in attendance at the V8 car race with the attendant operating loss of $1.45million;
- the loss of the Canberra International Dragway,
- the adoption of the discredited ‘Feel the Power’ campaign, and
- the on-again off-again amalgamation of the Canberra Festival with the Multicultural Festival and the controversial departure of the artistic director,
and there are more than enough reasons to prompt concern.
"With the Bruce Stadium as the hallmark of its administration it would come as no surprise that the ACT Liberal Government failed to notice the need for action as controversy after controversy enveloped CTEC’s operations.
"Any one of these issues is enough to raise an eyebrow about the operations of CTEC. Even the most forgiving person would have by now come to the conclusion that something has to be done.
"For too long CTEC has been regarded by the Government as a political toy and photo opportunity for the Tourism Minister.
"Labor has had enough! We will be conducting a full review of CTEC’s operations and legislation in consultation with the Tourism Industry, with the view to ensuring that our tourism body has the full confidence of the community and tourism operators.
"Tourism has enormous potential to be an export earner and a contributor of substantial employment for the ACT and Labor will give the highest priority to maximising the employment opportunities for Canberrans. Controversial distractions have prevented CTEC from delivering on this score and it’s time to reassess this important body," Mr Berry concluded.