reprinted from: Australian Financial Review
Tourism industry will fight security tax slug
By Lisa Allen with AAP Australia's $71 billion tourism industry expects to be slugged with a new tax to fund increased airport security under a Federal Government proposal. The tourism sector yesterday vowed to fight any more imposts, with Tourism Task Force chief executive Christopher Brown claiming it simply could not cope if forced to pay for the security measures. Mr Brown said increased airport security and screening of all travellers' bags was to be commended, but the government should find a way to fund the move without involving the industry. "The tourism industry certainly can't afford to, and doesn't want to, pay for these measures," Mr Brown said. "The industry is already paying for foot-and-mouth disease protection, aircraft noise, terrorist insurance, Barrier Reef remediation, border control, immigration costs, Ansett worker entitlements and airport upgrades." Mr Brown said the industry was still attempting to rebuild following September 11 and the Ansett collapse. "Surely we cannot be expected to cop another tax when we are attempting to rebuild domestic and inbound tourism," he said. "National security issues require a national revenue response. We don't want to see another tax on airline passengers." Mr Brown said the tourism industry was also expecting to be asked to pay for additional marketing and structural reform measures outlined in the government's 10-year tourism plan. Federal Opposition spokesman for tourism Gavan O'Connor said yesterday Treasurer Peter Costello had blown the surplus and the government was now looking to introduce new taxes on the industry via the back door. He said Finance Minister Nick Minchin had repeatedly failed to rule out a tax on the tourism industry to fund key initiatives during a Senate estimates committee meeting last week. "The government is waiting for its first opportunity to slug the tourism industry yet again." Mr O'Connor said the industry was already burdened by the Ansett levy and a departure tax. But Australian Airports Association national chairman John McArdle supported any measures to improve security and safety of airline passengers. Mr McArdle said the cost of any extra
security measures would most likely be worn by the travelling public. |