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.

Pacific Dawn calls Brisbane home
Posted by editor (editor) on Dec 19 2009
Ministerial Diary >>

It’s an exciting time for the cruise shipping industry in Queensland following the arrival of the state’s first superliner Pacific Dawn to Brisbane this month.  The 70,000 tonne ship will inject $44 million dollars into the local economy and is the first to be deployed in Brisbane all year round.  Cruising is now recognised as the fastest growing sector of Australian tourism and in Queensland passenger numbers on cruise ships grew by 46% this year compared to last.

Even better news is that Queensland will further benefit from plans by P&O Cruises to deploy a second ship out of Brisbane in 2011.  Apart from the obvious tourism benefits, Queensland businesses will benefit directly from contracts to supply the 100 tonnes of food and drink required each week for the two ships and importantly, jobs are supported by the sector hitting the one thousand mark this year up from 732 last year.  I had the pleasure of meeting Cathy Freeman who is the Pacific Dawn’s godmother at the launch as well as Captain Chris Wells and Carnival CEO Ann Sherry.

Last changed: Dec 23 2009 at 2:19 PM