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.
When Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt invited me to her little piece of paradise that is her backyard, how could I resist. She not only turned on the spectacular weather for my arrival but also the generous hospitality. It was a great opportunity for me to meet with the Board of Tourism Whitsundays and talk about the challenges the industry there is currently facing and how the Bligh Government can support and assist where necessary. I also met with the Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry Association (WCBIA) who is doing a great job to lift the standards of the charter boat industry but is also faced with its own specific challenges.
I sat down with John Naylor from ChannelWhitsunday.com for a quick interview in the marina before attending in my role as Minister responsible for liquor licensing, the Whitsunday Alcohol Safety Partnerships meeting to discuss with licensees the Bligh Government's commitment to reducing alcohol-related violence in today's society. I also took a sneak peek of the new Port of Airlie development and if only I had a spare couple of million - I wouldn't mind buying a little bit of my slice of paradise in the Whitsundays!
