Australian Shadow Tourism Minister Albanese Confirms the Worst

Brought to our attention yesterday, the Australian Government Shadow Minister for Tourism Mr Anthony Albanese MP here in this late August 2014 Press Release confirms our worst fears. Yes, someone in Canberra is listening and yet it appears that not even the Federal Opposition can do anything about the Government's stall tactics with regards to making an 'official' announcement vis.a.vis our Pavilion at Milano World Expo 2015.

Victoria will be represented with a themed week at the Expo, but no other State/Territory nor will the Federal Government be represented at the Expo. In my view, this is a critical - and clinical - policy failure on behalf of the Australian Government at next year's - and arguably this decade's - most important global public diplomacy initiative. As once proud host of World Expo '88 - and with more than several decades history of representation at World Expositions, this singular decision by the Department of Foreign Affairs makes for an outstanding - and embarassing - singular omission by the Australian Government and continent at a World Exposition. We will be there - noticed - if anything but all by not being there. 


The Press Release in full is here:

Milano Expo Snub Shows Australia is Closed for Business
Tony Abbott has turned his back on a golden opportunity to enhance trade links between Australia and Italy and to promote tourism by refusing to fund an Australian presence at the 2015 World Expo in Milan.

While the Victorian Government is spending $1.25 million to participate in the Expo, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop claims she cannot justify funding involvement by the Australian Government because of the expense involved.

This is absurd.  Participation in Expo Milan would be an investment in the future and would more than pay for itself in terms of trade opportunities and tourism.

The Government’s obsession with spending cuts at all costs and its mealy-mouthed rejection of promoting Australian tourism abroad is now costing Australian businesses genuine opportunities.

The theme of the Expo Milan is Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life. Given Australia’s status as a food exporter, our participation makes good sense.

When I visited Italy last year I met then Prime Minister Enrico Letta, who specifically raised the issue of Australia’s participation in the expo.

About 900,000 Australians have Italian ancestry and the expo also provides a chance to boost people-to-people links between the two nations and promote Australia as a destination for Italian tourists.

The Abbott Government’s short-sighted approach is inconsistent with its claim after its election that Australia was “open for business’’.

A government truly interested in economic development would ensure Australia had a stand at the Expo, as was the intention of the previous Labor Government.

The source of the 21 August 2014 Press Release is here: 
http://anthonyalbanese.com.au/milan-expo-snub-shows-australia-is-closed-for-business