Tourism confirmed under foreign affairs and trade

The Commonwealth Government has now confirmed that Tourism Australia will sit entirely under the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Administrative Arrangements Order issued on the 3rd October 2013 confirms the hospitality industry's understanding that Tourism Australia was always to be administered by two Ministers, the Hon Julie Bishop, Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Hon Andrew Robb, Minister for Trade and Investment.

Under new administrative order, responsibility for the entire tourism industry and the Tourism Australia Act falls under the administration of the respective Ministers for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The AHA(WA) CEO Bradley Woods has welcomed the announcement saying "the industry will overseen by two of the most senior Abbott Government Cabinet Ministers and looks forward to the enormous potential for the tourism sector that will come from working closely under foreign affairs and trade development".

Source: Australian Hotels Association WA, 4 October 2013