Media Release

Peter Gutwein MP
Shadow Minister for Industry

Sunday 16th May 2010

Tassie Only Gets Bronze for World Expo Effort

It appears that the Tasmanian Government, unlike other State and Territory Governments, has failed to grasp the significance and opportunity that the World Expo currently underway in Shanghai could bring to the economy.

World Expo will attract more than 70 million visitors over the next 6 months with more than 11,000 entering the Australia pavillion in its first four hours of operation alone. However, Tasmania has the lowest level of involvement of any state or territory, with only a 'bronze' sponsorship, which allows for only a basic level of promotion.

For a state that is heavily reliant on tourism and exports it beggars belief that we would have a lower presence and less involvement than any other state or territory, especially when many export industries including agriculture and forestry are increasingly coming under pressure.

China has become one of our leading export destinations and also offers untold opportunities for our tourism sector. Yet it appears that we have not grasped the opportunity that the World Expo provides.

The Victorian Government said:

"Victoria's participation in the Expo is part of an overall long term Victorian Government strategy for strengthening trade, investment, cultural and personal links with the world's second largest and fast growing economy."

The NSW Minister for State and Regional Development, Ian McDonald, said:

"NSW became a gold partner of the Australian Pavilion because it presented a valuable opportunity for NSW to strengthen existing relationships and develop new areas of cooperation."

It is simply not good enough that the Tasmanian Government could let this opportunity slip through its fingers.

The Treasurer Michael Aird who has responsibility for Industry as well, must explain why the State Government have taken a 'poverty pack' approach to showcasing our State on the world's largest stage. Why did we take the lowest value sponsorship package and doesn't this mean that the other states and territories will have a more significant presence and therefore a greater opportunity to attract visitors, investment and export opportunities?