SAVANNAH GUIDES SCHOOL

_{27 October, 2006}

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Let me first of all congratulate Mick on his re-election as your chief and I understand a hard fought election battle that Ann and I know all about.  Unfortunately I think his was a bit easier then ours.

I want to recognise Councillor Ann Bunnell the deputy Mayor of this very fair city.  Ann and I are of different political persuasions, and it is not often that I congratulate them on anything, but I do have to say that Ann and her council have done a marvellous job with The Strand in particular and it is really a showcase for Townsville.  They deserve every credit for that and well done.

Also the neighbouring council, I don’t see Les Tyrell here so I can say this and you wont repeat this Ann but I think Les looked along and saw what had happened at The Strand, so he set up his own Strand along the river in up in Thuringowa City.  Which I think will perhaps equal The Strand in the years to come. 

It has really meant that Townsville and Thuringowa as a cosmopolitan area do have some fabulous eco-tourism areas and some natural aspects that are a great treasure.  I should also say that just to the south of here between Townsville and Ayr, where I live, there is a fabulous wetland area as yet unexploited, and I don’t mean exploited in a terribly commercial way.  Its not really open to the public yet but it is an area which some equate to Kakadu and it is on our doorstep here.  A lot of work has to go into that before it can be carefully seen, but it does demonstrate that this area is part of the Savannah lands of Australia and a very significant part.

I am delighted to be with you today.

I am not sure if you all fully appreciate, and I am absolutely confident that most Australians don’t understand, just what a significant part you play in the matrix of activities that help to ensure that Australia is a confident, happy and comfortable country.

The work you do helps to attract international tourists to Australia and plays a big part in getting an increasing number of domestic tourists to visit some of the very special places we have in the north of Australia.

In a world that has become smaller with more and more people travelling the globe, tourists who have seen everything in the northern hemisphere, Africa and South America are looking to Australia for those unique experiences that are not available in too many other parts of the world.

They also increasingly are looking for safety and security and places with amenities and also for professionals who can, in the best and easiest way, take visitors to these otherwise hidden treasures and cater to every whim and idiosyncrasy of the international and distant domestic tourist.  Their comfort and interest bring real dollars to Australia and helps to create employment and opportunities for all Australians.  In the Savannah lands of northern Australia we have some very unique and special places.  We also have the vast plains and woodlands, mangrove forests and coastline that are, increasingly, an attraction to tourists both Australian and international.

And the guides of Australia play a very big part in providing the services that make tourism all happen.

You also play a very significant role in protecting and maintaining Australia’s very unique flora and fauna, its biodiversity and wonderful geographic features.

I consider myself one of the really privileged of this world.   I have taken the trip from Cairns/Townsville to Karumba many a time – in fact I class myself as almost a regular and I have also had the pleasure of driving from Darwin through Borroloola, Karumba and around the Cape past Dunbar Station and into Laura and Cairns.  I have experienced the Kimberley’s of Western Australia – on both land and sea.  It is a fabulous part of the world.

There is a thought however amongst some of our country's elected representatives that the best thing you can do for the environment is to lock it up and walk away.  Not only do I believe this isn't the best thing to do, I actually feel it is the worst for two reasons.

Firstly people need to be able to experience what it is that is being protected, otherwise the will to continue to protect, is lost.

Secondly, the importance of having a presence and the sustainable maintenance that goes with this, is invaluable.

Too many parks and icon natural assets are locked away but then not adequately maintained - whilst Governments gain political credits for creating parks and Nature Reserves, their enthusiasm for maintaining what they have locked away ceases at the next budget.  This, I am pleased to say is different where private corporations and tour guides have some involvement – places like the Great Barrier Reef, Cobbold Gorge, Undara Lava Tubes and the Ross River Dam to name just a few.

But tours where they are able to occur must be performed by reputable organisations, which is why I am such an enthusiastic supporter of the Savannah Guides.  Together your group has an incredible knowledge of the natural environment across the Savannah lands of Northern Australia.  It is in your interest as well as the Nation’s that people visit the sites in a careful way so their children and grandchildren can do the same.

I am a member of the Senate Committee on the Environment which is coming to the end of its enquiry into National and Marine Parks.  We have received over 219 submissions and 142 witnesses have given evidence over 11 days.  It is inappropriate for me to even guess what the Committee’s conclusion might be, but certainly what has come through to me is that the best parks are those which have multiple use – tourism, conservation, commercial operators and some commerce even.  I refer again to places like the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Cobbold Gorge and some forests in Tasmania all of which have productive activities – fishing in the Great Barrier Reef, grazing in Cobbold Gorge and logging in some Tasmanian forests.

If I can refer to Tasmanian forests for a moment – the safest and most bio-diverse are the production forests which have built in fire fighters and a mosaic of forest types which allow all biota to exist – not just those limited species which live in old growth forests.

I read with interest in your recent newsletter that my parliamentary colleague Fran Bailey officially launched the Guides of Australia Accreditation programme.  It is essential that this accreditation continues to be held in as high regard in 20 years time as it is today.  The Australian Government is a big supporter of our $75 billion dollar tourism industry and of our natural environment, and we want to ensure that local companies share in the spoils our natural wonders can give if it is done so sustainability and sensibly.  And having a benchmark for operators to reach, is what will ensure our piece of paradise remains beautiful for generations.

Schools such as this will help to achieve world class guiding and that will mean more and more adventure tourism coming to our country.  Schools like this emphasise the beauty and the wonder – and ensure that this beauty and wonder remains for ever.

.There was a time when outback tourism was hardly thought of, as the lure of big cities and man made attractions were the rage.  But things have changed, and the thought of a sunset over a dusty paddock, or horse riding through natural environment are now firmly entrenched in the minds of not only metropolitan Australians, but others across the globe.  And as the world grapples with sick minded people who insist on creating havoc in the populous centres of our planet, I believe Northern Australia will continue to thrive as a safe haven for international tourists.

So ladies and gentlemen can I wish you the very best for your meeting in this wonderful savannah city, particularly do I wish you well in your work protecting and promoting our sensational savannah lands.  I think you do a fabulous job for Australia, thanks very much.

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