Regional Tourism

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (14:24): Supplementary: can the minister explain then why he provided an estimates omnibus response last year that showed funding had not been allocated in 2020-21 for either the regional tourism organisation funding program or the regional consumer collaborative marketing fund?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (14:25): They are an ongoing discussion when we are formulating the budgets each year. Two of the members opposite who have been ministers know that the budget process is always quite complicated and can be quite challenging. We funded it for this year and it is the intention for me as minister to continue to fund it over the forward estimates. I believe it is the intention of, and I am advised that it is the intention of, the Tourism Commission to continue to seek funding over the forward estimates. So, irrespective of an answer that was provided in last year's budget, nearly 12 months ago, the intention is to fund both programs going forward.