GASH GETS TOURISM IN COALITION RESHUFFLE

Gilmore MP, Joanna Gash, who has been given back the tourism portfolio taken away from her by Malcolm Turnbull last year, says she was "thrilled to bits" when she was offered the role today.

Mrs Gash was formerly a NSW Regional Tourism Manager before going into business herself in hospitality and accommodation where she ran and operated Ranelagh House in the Southern Highlands.

Mrs Gash worked with both State Labor and Coalition Ministers developing policies which helped grow the domestic tourism industry.

She has been appointed into the junior ministry as a Parliamentary Secretary.

"Tourism is in my blood and when I was given the portfolio by Brendon Nelson in 2007 I immediately and literally hit the road on a fact finding tour of South Eastern Australia.

"I picked up a lot of invaluable information and was disappointed when I was denied the opportunity of formulating policy.

"The domestic tourism scene is not in a good state with tourism numbers down across the spectrum.

"What is clearly needed is an urgent makeover and that is what I'll be throwing myself into next year.

"I'm going to make it my business to work with the industry to get us back where we should be.

Mrs Gash declined to level criticism at any government saying that the challenge should be entered into in a spirit of cooperation rather than conflict.

"I will be pressing the government, and my own side, for a better deal for tourism and if I tread on a few toes on the way, then so be it", Mrs Gash said.

Published: 8 Decemeber 2009

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