Thank you everyone for your support on our Tourism Industry Petition so far – we’ve recently hit 2000 signatures. This is a significant milestone, but we must continue to circulate and call on further support from the broader Far North Queensland community, as well as our statewide Tourism Industry.
When signing this petition, please skip the "Donate" section. We are not looking for money, just names to support this cause.
This is not for the benefit of a mere few - Tourism is one of the most significant economic drivers for the North Queensland economy. We are now at the most dire point in our history.
For some perspective: Since the Border Closures and Lockdowns commenced in March 2020:
- Our international tourism market has been decimated
- FNQ is losing $7 million per day from its economy
- 6000 staff have lost their jobs, and another 3150 are under threat between now and Christmas.
- We have had just 72 days where we have not had to contend with some sort of border restraint or restriction from an Intra and Inter State perspective. This includes every school holiday period since Easter 2020.
Yet despite a barrage of advocacy, despite every statistic of these impacts being presented to every part of Government, the response the industry has heard has amounted to a deafening silence. At rare times it has generated comment it has been political finger pointing and blame from both sides of Government that has resulted in standoffs and stalemates.
It’s time for both levels of government to come together in the same room, and nut out a solution for our cash-strapped tourism businesses, and reach consensus on a 50/50 bipartisan support deal between our State and Federal Governments.
The precedent has been set in NSW and VIC with the Job Saver Program. Time is of the essence – Tourism Businesses and their Employees need State and Federal Support to survive NOW.
Please sign the petition, and if you already have, please continue to share to anyone who lives in Far North Queensland, and let them know that Tourism is Everybody's Business!