The Ministerial Diary
After my successful re-election campaign, I will return for a fourth term as the Member for Southport. Along with this important role I have been appointed as the new Minister of Tourism and Fair Trading. This position also includes the Racing and Liquor Licensing portfolios. During my time as Minister I will be visiting tourism icons all over Queensland and this page will keep track of my work. I encourage everyone to follow my travels as the Minister by reading below my entries into the Minister's Diary where I will write about my latest experiences. Peter Lawlor.
A new chapter and a new challenge |
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| Posted by editor (editor) on Jun 02 2009 |
| Ministerial Diary >> |
I would like to say my biggest challenge so far as the new Tourism, Fair Trading, Liquor Licensing, Gaming and Racing Minister was working out how to use a blackberry but that is just one minor hurdle in my new role which is certainly keeping me on my toes.
As well as countless meetings with industry representatives, functions and media events my days are filled getting my head around the many and varied pieces of legislation of which there are 70 different Acts alone just under Fair Trading!
Parliament is a whole different ball game now than what it used to be when I was a backbencher. I must say it was a very proud moment on the first day parliament sat this year when my family were watching on from the public gallery.
I learnt a great deal on my listening tour to the regions meeting key industry leaders and absorbing their thoughts and experiences on how best we can guide Queensland through these tough economic times with minimal impact to jobs, businesses and operators. Cairns in particular is feeling the economic downturn more than most as it relies heavily on the international tourist market.
I am confident Tourism Queensland’s whole-of-state campaigns such as ‘Bonus Breaks’ and ‘Queensland’s Hot Hits’, not to mention ‘The Best Job in the World’ promotion are steering us in the right direction.
As well as the GFC, the low Australian dollar and bleak predictions for the future, the tourism industry was dealt another cruel blow with the outbreak of Swine Flu. Even before it hit our shores, I convened an emergency meeting with tourism leaders on how best to combat the affects this global virus would have on the industry.
Although the trips between the Gold Coast and Brisbane and the rest of the state have become a little more frequent these days, I am still passionately committed to issues in my Southport electorate and the Gold Coast.
Last changed: Jun 02 2009 at 12:17 PM
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