TOURISM AND AVIATION SUPPORT PACKAGE
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WHAT IS HAPPENING TO TOURISM?
* About 611,000 people are employed by the tourism sector in Australia
* Domestic tourism is worth $100 billion to the Australian economy
* Australians have been reluctant to travel due to sudden and unexpected border closures and other COVID-related restrictions
* But there are signs of an increase in tourism spending as local virus case numbers reduce to nil, vaccines are rolled out, states and territories move to more consistent restrictions and international travel remains closed
WHAT IS IN THE $1.2 BILLION PACKAGE?
Cheaper air tickets:
* From April 1 to July 31 there will be a boost to the number of flights to an initial 13 regions: the Gold Coast, Cairns, the Whitsundays and Mackay region, the Sunshine Coast, Lasseter and Alice Springs, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie, Broome, Avalon, Merimbula and Kangaroo Island
* A 50 per cent discount will be available on domestic fares to and from the locations
* It is expected about 46,000 discounted fares will be offered each week via airline websites from April 1
BUSINESS LOANS:
* 10-year loans with 24 month repayment holidays (on principal and interest) to be approved between April 1 and December 31, for businesses on JobKeeper between January 4 and March 28
* An eligible loan can take any form of credit (including overdrafts, working capital and revolving facilities, leases or hire-purchase arrangements), with the exception of a credit, debit, charge card or business card facility. Loans may be used to refinance any pre-existing debt of an eligible borrower.
INTERNATIONAL AVIATION SUPPORT:
* Financial support from April 1 to October 31 (when international flights are expected to resume)
* It is expected to keep 8600 international aviation employees in work and ready to be deployed, as well as planes in flight-ready condition
* Qantas and Virgin will be required to provide a monthly assurance to government about flight readiness
OTHER MEASURES:
* Support for ground handlers to keep up their certification
* Extension of support to September 30 for domestic and regional passenger and cargo movement
* Extension of waiver for airport security charges and Airservices Australia charges on domestic airline operations
* Further support for air exports of goods to overseas markets
* Grants for business events to be extended by three months
* Extension by six months for support program for zoos and aquariums.
(Source: Prime Minister's Office)
Australian Associated Press
