Tuesday, 17 March 2020

Ministers statements: COVID-19

Mr PAKULA (Keysborough—Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Racing) (12:44): COVID-19 has already caused substantial damage to the tourism sector around the globe and neither Australia nor Victoria is immune from that effect. The cancellation of major events, the ban on mass gatherings and the global restrictions on air travel and border entries is having and will continue to have a major impact on airlines, the airport, tour operators, hotels and other accommodation providers, and the convention and business events sector in many regional towns already affected by bushfire.

With the halting of most global movement, the restriction imposed by the commonwealth at the border and the impact of the ban on mass gatherings, these effects will not be ameliorated for some time. This week I met with leading players in the sector—representatives of Visit Victoria, our overseas trade network, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and the Melbourne Convention Bureau, Melbourne Airport, the university sector and the Victorian Tourism Industry Council. There was a powerful sense of unity and purpose in the room, a recognition that whilst this situation is dire and that around the world the tourism sector will look quite different at the end of this crisis than it did at the beginning of it, it is temporary. Global travel will recommence, conventions and business events will recommence, live shows and sporting events will recommence and students will once again pursue their education overseas. When that occurs the race will be on. Jurisdictions around the world will be racing to secure the same events, the same students, the same travellers and the same markets. Advantage will lie with those countries and regions which have deep relationships that are more than merely transactional, that have maintained their brand by the way they have responded to this disease, that have a proven record of delivering events well and that provide high-quality service to students and tourists.

On all of those measures we are well placed. Our sector has a profound unity of purpose and confidence in its future. They have all undertaken to work together to provide the government with the best information about how we collectively hit the ground running at the right moment. (Time expired)

Mr T Bull: On a point of order, Speaker, I have a number of unanswered questions which, in the current climate and with our certainty of sitting a little bit unsure into the future, I would like to be answered promptly. The first one is question 1620, asked of the Premier in November last year around hardwood timber plantations. It is very important, given the uncertainty of the industry in East Gippsland. The other unanswered questions are numbered 1377, 1378, 1489, 1676, 1719, 1847, 1848 and 1849 to various ministers.

The SPEAKER: I thank the member for Gippsland East for raising that matter.

Ms Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, I would like to have followed up constituency question 1831. It is to the Minister for Roads and Minister for Road Safety and the TAC. With the budget approaching it is particularly important for my community because it is seeking the government to commit funding for the dangerous stretch of Warburton Highway in Seville East. If you could follow that up, that would be great.

The SPEAKER: I thank the member for that point of order. I will raise that matter.

Mr Wells: On a point of order, Speaker, I have a couple of unanswered constituency questions as well: 1807 and 1685. One, 1807, was asked on 5 February and the other one, 1685, was asked on 27 November, can you believe it, last year. Both are to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services. They are both very important for my electorate of Rowville.

The SPEAKER: I thank the member for raising that point of order. We will follow the matter up.