Leader of the Opposition replies . . .

Recently, the Leader of the QLD State Opposition, Lawrence Springborg promised an increase in funds of around $140,000 to every RTO (Regional Tourism Organisation), should the LNP win power in the next QLD State Election.

Keeping in mind the recent case of the missing $350,000 from Tourism Whitsunday's coffers (Court case still pending), we asked Mr Springborg if the taxpayer would be getting 'value for money' with the injection of funds, or would it be 'throwing good money after bad'?

Here is the Leader of the Liberal National Party's full reply:


Tourism is one of the mainstays of the Whitsunday region.

That's why we recently announced that Tourism Whitsundays would receive
an additional $140,000 in grants from a Springborg lead Government.
I am aware of the ongoing legal matter in relation to Tourism
Whitsundays and it's inappropriate for us to comment at this time.
However, in Government we will introduce safeguards to ensure that the
Regional Tourism Organisations (RTO), run effectively and don't waste
their resources.
We don't believe RTO's have been funded sufficiently to promote their
message and their destination which has resulted in disillusionment
among members of those organisations.

The $140,000, and the Whitsundays share of the $10.04M boost to the
Tourism Queensland Marketing budget will boost Tourism in Whitsundays,
guaranteeing jobs in the Tourism industry and building the region.
LNP policy on jobs, health, education and transport as well as election
policy announcements and up to the moment state wide LNP media releases
can also be found on www.lnp.org.au.

I invite you to visit the LNP website during the 2009 election campaign
for daily LNP policy releases.

Yours sincerely

Lawrence Springborg
Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the LNP