Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Fears that funding for Tasmania’s MONA being used as a ‘political football’

Fears that funding for Tasmania’s MONA being used as a ‘political football’
May 23, 2019

The Tasmanian tourism industry has been warned not to allow partisan interest to turn it into a “political football”.

Speaking to the Hobart Mercury, Tourism Industry Council Tasmania Chairman Daniel Leesong said the tourism sector could be the state’s latest “whipping boy” after the Liberals attributed wins in the marginal seats of Braddon and Bass to their campaign against Labor funding promises to MONA.

Leesong stated "the apparently successful attempt over the past few weeks to use MONA of all things to divide Tasmanians is exactly what we’ve spent the last 20 years as an industry trying to avoid.

“As an industry we must not stand for this or we will risk the broad political and community support tourism enjoys and, in that event, we all lose.”

Leeson also slammed the proposal to cap visitor numbers to some of the island’s most popular tourist destinations and introduce bed taxes, calling them “crazy”.

He added "we’re not saying we’re the solution to all things Tasmania, but at the same time, we want to make sure that these debates are done in a way that’s healthy and not disruptive.

“However, healthy debate is no excuse for attacking our industry and its contribution to this state or those among us who put everything on the line trying to create new tourism ventures.”

Related Articles

19th January 2012 - City of Monash appoints leisure centre Social Media Manager

14th January 2015 - Hobart ready for seventh annual MONA FOMA

24th October 2014 - Mini casino plans for Tasmania’s MONA

14th December 2018 - MONA ditches ‘offensive’ title to unveil plans for new Motown hotel


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

GREENEDESK

Track. Engage. Retain GreeneDesk is a suite of cloud based software solutions helping health clubs, leisure centres and swim schools to effectively track progression, improve customer engagement and…

read more

Aquatics / Billing / Education / Fitness / Technology

 
 

TJS Services

TJS Services is a leading national facility services provider. We deliver quality cleaning, maintenance, construction and facility management services to over 1,500 sites Australia wide.  Our…

read more

Hospitality / Retail / Venues

 
 

SENtag

Developed in Europe, this innovative system offers a safety management solution for swimming pools that checks individual swimmers via their wristband - monitoring their depth and time. Sensors…

read more

Aquatics / Hospitality / Safety / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

Summit Fitness

Summit Fitness Equipment is now part of NovoFit - see www.ausleisure.com.au/suppliers/novofit/

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Technology / Wellness

 
 

Fluidra Commercial

  Fluidra Commercial Australia develops innovative, highly technical and sustainable solutions designed to create unique aquatic facilities for the 'Commercial Pool' category. Public…

read more

Aquatics / Environment / Sport / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

Fun Wheels Pty Ltd

Fun Wheels Pty Ltd are the premium dealer in Australasia for the Dutch company BERG’s commercial and domestic products. Our flagship product is their revolutionary pedal go-kart – the…

read more

Attractions / Tourism / Venues

 
 

AAC

Welcome to AAC – makers of the world’s best wristbands, lanyards, tickets, tokens and full-service print solutions. We are Australia’s premier global manufacturer and supplier of…

read more

Access / Marketing / Safety / Ticketing

 
 

Again Faster

ABOUT Again Faster is a Brisbane based, Australian owned supplier of strength and conditioning and functional fitness equipment. With nearly 10 years experience in the Australian market, we are…

read more

Fitness / Recreation

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business