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10-year roadmap for arts, cultural and creative services (December 2018): The arts, the cultural heritage, and the creative capacity of Queenslanders are essential components of a thriving local tourism industry and the potential to achieve more is significant, given the strong continued growth of tourism globally. QTIC proposed the following recommendation based on the draft plan: Reconsider the vision to include non-residents of Queensland and the benefits of the sector to all; Include authenticity and climate change as challenges for the sector; Work with other industries that show synergies to offer capacity building programs that will strengthen the sustainability of the sector; Add the creative sector to an aligning VETIO to ensure the sector is advocated for across the vocational education sector; Align the 10-year Roadmap with the Queensland Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals.
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Effectiveness of the current temporary skilled visa system in targeting genuine skills shortages (14 December 2018): The benefits delivered through migration have helped shape the economy and many communities. We suggest that Australia is more likely to achieve positive outcomes for its resident community if a significant and well-considered migration program is maintained. To achieve this, a review of the ANZSCO list is recommended to include new occupations and update existing occupations. A flexible approach to work experience requirements for regional areas to reduce barriers and incentive migration to regional areas is also recommended. Finally, we support a review of processing times to increase the accessibility and responsiveness for businesses that are challenged by labour shortages.
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The Role of Austrade (23 November 2018): We acknowledge that Austrade plays an important role in driving investment to Australia though its international offices. Furthermore, we identify the growing role that the Tourism Major Project Facilitation program will play for tourism at a federal level given the gap left by the ceasing of the Tourism Demand Driving Infrastructure Fund. We advocate for additional funding security for Austrade to provide more resources to tourism, especially in regional Queensland.
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Queensland Plan Review (6 November 2018): We strongly support the key aim of the Queensland Plan, to provide an inclusive guide for a shared future, built on a vision crafted from a broad community consensus.The multi-partisan and community-based development of the plan gives it a unique status as an enduring, robust and credible roadmap to the future.
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Skills for Queensland (19 October 2018): We put forward a number of recommendations to ensure that tourism and hospitality students have the skills required to sustain the industry. Some recommendations include a review of the tourism and hospitality training packages to align with changing industry demands, the integration of broader economic policies and issues into training strategies, and the funding of VET advisors in schools to encourage student engagement.
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Policy and process to limit and reduce red tape (11 October 2018): A ‘first principles’ review of relevant legislation was encouraged to determine if legislation is still fit for purpose. We also emphasised that often operators are required to comply with a significant amount of legislation which often overlaps between local, state and federal authorities. We continue to advocate for a streamlined approach that minimises the administrative burden for operators.
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Responsible Service of Alcohol, the Case for Change (11 October 2018): We acknowledge a cross jurisdictional approach to RSA would better facilitate staff working in multiple states. It was also noted that a rigorous approach needs to be taken to ensure that the RSA certificate continues to support the aim of mitigating risks associated with alcohol consumption on the broader community. We also put forward the need for RSA to be reviewed as part of a broader review of the tourism and hospitality training packages.
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Regional Telecommunications (5 August 2018): The ongoing challenges with connectivity across the Outback were highlighted in a letter detailing the importance of connectivity for business development, consumer satisfaction and visitor safety.
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Wage Theft (30 July 2018): We examined the prevalence of wage theft in the tourism and hospitality industry including through cash-in-hand payments, underpayment and through the exploitation of unpaid trials. Wage theft is damaging to the reputation of the industry, with over 20,000 new employees required by 2020 it is important that the industry is promoted as having integrity and inclusive of long term career opportunities.
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GST on Offshore Hotel Bookings (26 July 2018): We submitted a letter supporting the proposition that offshore sellers of hotel accommodation in Australia should calculate their GST turnover in the same way as local sellers. It was also recommended that revenues generated from this go back to the industry through capacity building or infrastructure programs to enhance destination experiences.
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Transforming Queensland’s Recycling and Waste Industry (25 June 2018): A letter was written to the Department of Environment and Science advocating for small business support during the introduction of the waste levy to assist businesses in developing efficiencies in waste management practices to minimise the impact of the levy.
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Traffic Light Bulletin 2 (8 June 2018): QTIC advocated for the re-introduction of travel agency managers on to the skilled shortage list. With strong growth predicted over the next five years, it is important we have skilled employees in the right role. Global travel opportunity is one of our industry's greatest benefits - we need to ensure that our visa system supports global opportunity and assists Queensland businesses in engaging the right people in the right roles.
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Gold Coast Airport Hotel Proposal (4 May 2018): QTIC supports the development of the proposed hotel at the Gold Coast Airport.
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Regional Inequality in Australia (30 April 2018): QTIC identifies the role that the tourism industry can play in supporting economic development across regional Australia. The Cost recovery for services under the National System for Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety caused quite some concern across the marine sector, especially with the inclusion of kayaks under the new scheme. Some strong industry lobbying saw the removal of kayaks from this levy which is a great win for these operators. QTIC made a submission to the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities, supporting the exemption and advocating for this to be guaranteed for a longer term. QTIC also objected to additional charges to any operators within this sector. o support the growth of regions, connectivity is a key issues. QTIC advocates for enhancements to be made across regional connectivity to create seamless visitor experiences and to encourage regional dispersion of visitors.
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Australian Maritime Safety Levy (30 April 2018): The Cost recovery for services under the National System for Domestic Commercial Vessel Safety caused quite some concern across the marine sector, especially with the inclusion of kayaks under the new scheme. Some strong industry lobbying saw the removal of kayaks from this levy which is a great win for these operators. QTIC made a submission to the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities, supporting the exemption and advocating for this to be guaranteed for a longer term. QTIC also objected to additional charges to any operators within this sector.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Plan for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (26 April 2018): QTIC commends the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority for the collaborative approach to the development of a strategy that reflects complex stakeholder requirements and creates significant opportunity across the Great Barrier Reef. The plan supports the engagement with Traditional Owners across the reef and works towards a connected experience that keeps heritage healthy and safe. It was great to see the Federal Budget assigning funding to support the implementation of this strategy.
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Sustainable Development Goals and Australian Businesses (29 March 2018): We are proud to see the tourism industry working towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Tourism has major potential to contribute to goals 8, 12 and 14 on inclusive and sustainable economic growth, sustainable consumption and production and the sustainable use of oceans and marine resources. Tourism has the opportunity to make a significant positive contribution to the 2030 agenda. From QTIC’s survey it is evident that industry is already working towards these goals and values the importance of this global commitment. In the submission to the Federal Government, QTIC highlights the importance of all levels of Government mapping commitments, providing information to communities and demonstrating bi-partisan support for the goals to instil confidence and longevity to the commitment.
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Brisbane Transport Strategy (29 March 2018): QTIC provided a letter of support in response to the Brisbane Transport Strategy. The Strategy plays an important role in the development of the regions tourism industry with a focus on connectivity and sustainability. The strategy acknowledges the significant impact that climate change will have on the region and consideration is given to the risks throughout the strategy. The strategy plays an important role in Australia’s commitment to the SDGs, particularly 13 (climate action) and 11 (make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable). It is recommended that this link is explicitly made in the strategy.
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Training Product Reform (9 March 2018): The submission to the Department of Education and Training regarding training product reform identified that traditional training models do not always reflect the changing business environment and that it’s important that vocational and high education providers evolve, as other industries do, to ensure they remain relevant and support the upskilling and provision of workers fit for their role. QTIC also endorsed the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s submission.
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Addressing issues relating to unduly short courses (9 March 2018): QTIC wrote to the Federal Government’s Department of Education and Training in support of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s submission regarding unduly short courses. QTIC acknowledged the importance and value of the national training system and the need to develop qualifications to meet the evolving needs of industry. QTIC highlights the importance of flexible training but also the need to ensure that competencies are reached. QTIC advocated for the tightening of regulations to ensure that training delivery meets the needs of industry now and into the future.
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The Operation, Regulation and Funding or Air Route Service Delivery to Rural, Regional and Remote Communities (23 February 2018): QTIC would like to see the prioritisation of a transportation strategy for rural and regional Queensland that addresses identified issues with connectivity and high pricing across regional routes. The importance of air connectivity cannot be underestimated in Australia with significant distances isolating communities. QTIC argues the strong social and economic benefits that well connected communities receive.
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Clean Energy Finance Corporation Statutory Review (16 February 2018): QTIC supports the work completed by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation but would like to see the ability for more flexibility in the scope of projects for funding. As it stands, large scale funding is supported by the corporation, this means that smaller operators are unable to gain funding for clean energy projects. QTIC proposed the opportunity to enable clusters of operators to collaborate for financing of larger scale project.
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Managing Australia's Migrant Intake (2 February 2018): QTIC responded to the Department of Home Affairs’ consultation paper on Managing Australia’s Migrant Intake. QTIC recommended the review of ANZSCO list to include new occupations and changing roles of existing occupations, the need to provide opportunity for temporary to permanent skilled migration, to maintain the number of available Migrant Program places, but review number of places in accordance with industry growth predictions and population increases and include visitation numbers in growth forecasts to ensure demand is appropriately determined.
