The Abbott Government must keep its promise to invest $16 million in Tasmania’s vital tourism industry, Labor Senator Lisa Singh said today.
Before the 2013 election Mr Abbott promised $16 million for the Cadbury chocolate factory in Tasmania which he said would create 320 new jobs by 2017, as well as build a new visitor centre and increase chocolate production by 30 per cent.
“Now that Cadbury has withdrawn its application for Commonwealth funding, the Abbott government should return to the 38 applications Tassie businesses made for Round 2 of the former Labor Government’s Tourism Industry Regional Development Fund, which were ready and waiting to be assessed before the program was axed by Tony Abbott.
Full funding for these 38 tourism projects was included in the 2013-14 Labor Government Budget.
“Had these grants proceeded as planned, the projects would have already been up and running with money flowing into local Tasmanian communities. It would have also leveraged millions of dollars in matching private investment.
“It is not good enough for Senator Abetz to say the money will still be delivered to Tasmania without specifying how and when. Tasmania has already waited 18 months for this promised tourism investment.
“I call on the Abbott government to ensure the money will be spent on tourism investment,” Senator Singh said.
SENATOR LISA SINGH SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND WATER LABOR SENATOR FOR TASMANIA
