Friday 12th May 2023
Labor tourist tax sets back sectors recovery
Shadow Minister for Trade and Tourism, Kevin Hogan has joined tourism organisations in slamming the federal government’s budget measures to implement a ‘tourism tax’ on Australian travellers and internationals visitors.
“Tuesday nights budget measures to increase the Passenger Movement Charge (PMC) and increase visa application charges for visitors and working holiday makers by 20% needs to be called out for what it is; a ‘tourist tax’ that is a kick in the face for our tourism industry.” Mr Hogan said.
“Prior to the budget, tourism industry leaders wrote to the Prime Minister pleading with him to urgently reconsider any increase to the PMC as it would significantly jeopardise the ongoing recovery of our tourism industry.”
“Our visitor visa and working holiday maker visa application charges are already some of the highest in the world among comparable countries. At $380 per person, our visitor visa cost is triple that of a Canadian visa and double the cost of UK and USA visas.”
“We are currently investing significant resources trying to get working holiday makers back to our shores for both, the economic stimulus they bring, and to address skills and labour force shortages across the country.”
“With the costs of airline tickets already sky high due to capacity constraints, these measures will only make international travellers look at alternative destinations for their travel experiences. We are competing against the rest of the world to attract international travellers in what is a fiercely competitive market.”
“This ‘tourist tax” comes on top of the governments October budget revenue raising measure where they cut $35 million in funding from Tourism Australia, the agency tasked with rebuilding our international tourism market.”
“The return of the international traveller to Australia has been slow, we are well below 2019 levels while other markets have seen international tourism return to pre-pandemic levels.”
“Our Tourism operators are mostly small and medium businesses who are contending with higher business costs driven by inflationary pressures. They need this governments support; not a ‘tourist tax’.”
ENDS
