Holiday in your own backyard
Australians are choosing to holiday in their own backyard and are spending record amounts, according to the latest National Visitor Survey.
This is great news, and I’d like to see more people getting out and about in the Parkes electorate where there is a hugely diverse offering for visitors. With tough times prevailing due to the drought, there are many communities that would greatly benefit from a boost to their local economy through visitation.
The survey results show visitor spending by Australians has soared to a record $67.5 billion, an increase of eight per cent, with a record number of domestic overnight trips during the year ending June 2018. This is the first time overnight trips taken by Australians at home has reached the 100 million mark.
It’s an impressive result for our tourism industry with more Australians holidaying at home and for longer, whilst also spending record amounts.
More Australians are turning to nature and the great outdoors for their holidays. Whether it’s the traditional Aboriginal fish traps at Brewarrina, the historic towns of Broken Hill and Silverton, the iconic Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, Warialda’s Cranky Rock legend or the energising Moree Plains Artesian Pools, there is plenty on offer for travellers in the Parkes electorate.
Our natural beauty is one of our greatest assets and it’s great to see Australians are taking full advantage of the diversity our country has to offer. The Coalition continues to deliver record funding to Tourism Australia so we can continue growing this booming industry.
Better access to life-changing medicine
The Coalition Government has subsidised a life-changing cystic fibrosis medicine which will significantly extend the lives of patients and help them save money.
Orkambi® is now available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for all patients aged six and over who have the most common form of cystic fibrosis. This will provide over 1,200 Australian patients and their families with a longer, better life.
Patients would otherwise pay up to $250,000 a year for Orkambi but with the Government’s investment they will now only pay a maximum of $39.50 per script, with concessional patients paying just $6.40.
Cystic fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time. A defective gene causes a thick, sticky build- up of mucus in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs.
Orkambi has been shown to slow the rate of decline in lung function and reduce the number of infections in people with cystic fibrosis. This medicine has been out of reach for many Australian families until now, so this is a landmark listing for the entire cystic fibrosis community.
Encourage respect, reduce violence
The Stop it at the Start campaign is an opportunity for our community to play a role in helping break the cycle of violence against women, with phase two of advertising starting now.
The $30 million campaign is jointly funded by the Australian, state and territory governments through the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children 2010-2022.
Phase two of the campaign was launched at the National Summit on Reducing Violence Against Women and Their Children recently.
Violence against women continues to affect individuals, families and communities across Australia. Stop it at the Start aims to help parents, family members, teachers, coaches, employers and other role models to reflect on their own attitudes and have conversations with young people about respect.
We can all play a role in preventing future violence, and it starts with thinking about the example we’re setting for our kids. We need to intervene when we see disrespectful behaviour, and talk more about respectful relationships.
We can also talk to the young people in our schools, on the sporting field, working in our businesses and in other settings about respectful relationships. Visit www.respect.gov.au for online tools and resources.
