Recommendation 1

2.69

The Committee recommends that the Australian Government, in partnership with Northern Australian jurisdictions, develop new City Deals similar to Townsville (including in Cairns) and that the Darwin City Deal be further progressed as a matter of priority.

Recommendation 2

3.78

The Committee recommends that Tourism Australia work in partnership with the Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australian and the respective Indian Ocean Territories tourism organisations to:

Identify areas of tourism marketing and promotional overlap and streamline marketing policies and actions across Northern Australia;

Identify opportunities to work in partnership, particularly for the marketing of tourist destinations that cross state and territory borders; and

Develop a digital Northern Australia calendar of events with events scheduled consecutively (where possible) to encourage travel to and between multiple destinations and events.

Recommendation 3

3.79

The Committee recommends that Tourism Australia establish a new, specific and ongoing Northern Australia marketing policy and campaign to increase international awareness, including in Asian visitor markets, of Northern Australian tourism destinations and attractions.

Recommendation 4

3.80

The Committee recommends that the Australian Government provide ongoing financial incentives for film and television productions to take place in Northern Australian locations.

Recommendation 5

4.103

The Committee recommends that legislation regarding the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility be amended to allow for participation of the Indian Ocean Territories.

Recommendation 6

4.104

The Committee recommends the Australian Government prioritise funding for roads which support the tourism industry, by sealing and/or upgrading the:

Tanami Road

Outback Way

Bloomfield Track

Roads to and within national parks (including Karijini, Millstream Chichester, Murujuga and Mitchell River National Parks in Western Australia, and Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory)

Hann Highway and the Gulf Development Road

Peninsula Development Road to Seisa

Drive tourism routes in Queensland including the Overlanders Way, Matilda Way, Capricorn Way, Great Inland Way/Great Tropical Drive, the Western Queensland Inland Way, Peak Downs Highway, Dawson Highway, and the Savannah Way (which also extends through the Northern Territory)

Drive tourism routes in northern WA including the Gibb River Road, the Canning Stock Route, the Warlu Way, Kalumburu Road, Cape Leveque Road, Marble Bar to Nullagine and Newman, and Mount Augustus to Paraburdoo

Extension of the National Highway to the Smithfield Roundabout, which then connects onto the Kennedy and Cook Highways

Bruce Highway

Road infrastructure at Coral Bay.

Recommendation 7

4.105

The Committee recommends the Australian Government work with state and territory governments to implement measures to reduce security costs at regional airports.

Recommendation 8

4.106

The Committee recommends the Australian Government as a matter of urgency, in partnership with the relevant state or territory government, provide funding to expeditiously upgrade the:

Jabiru and Cooinda Airports in Kakadu

Townsville Airport

Connellan (Ayers Rock) Airport

Cooktown Airport

Rockhampton Regional Airport

Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands Airports

Monkey Mia Runway.

Recommendation 9

4.107

The Committee recommends the Australian Government conduct a cost‑benefit analysis of the impact of current cabotage arrangements on Northern Australian airfares, flight routes, and the tourism industry.

Recommendation 10

4.108

The Committee recommends the Australian Government work with state and territory governments to upgrade ports in Cairns, Darwin, Broome, Exmouth, Dampier, Cooktown, Port Douglas, Christmas Island, and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (including Home Island) to facilitate access (including for cruise ships where possible).

Recommendation 11

5.147

The Committee recommends that the Office of Northern Australia be funded (for no less than three years) to provide oversight of investment in, and development of, tourism in Northern Australia. As part of this role, the Office of Northern Australia should:

Conduct an audit of tourism attractions and destinations across Northern Australia, to identify opportunities for private investment and complementary public investment;

Provide strategic oversight and assist in coordinating the development of tourism destinations across the north, particularly through identifying opportunities that cross state and territory lines;

Support the development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism businesses and products; and

Work with all levels of government to identify opportunities to streamline and simplify regulation and approvals relating to the tourism industry.

Recommendation 12

5.148

The Committee recommends that Tourism Research Australia expand and improve its collection of data specifically related to tourism in Northern Australia and further develop and regularly publish a data set specific to Northern Australia.

Recommendation 13

5.149

The Committee recommends that the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science review, with the aim of amending, the eligibility criteria for the Entrepreneurs’ Programme under the Northern Australia Tourism Initiative to enable access for:

A greater majority of small to medium sized tourism businesses operating in Northern Australia, including small tourism businesses that are working in partnership and have developed a tourism package of significant value;

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, particularly those that are well established in other sectors and are looking to expand into the tourism industry, in addition to those that are registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006; and

Organisations that contribute to the tourism industry but do not have an Australian Company Number (such as not-for-profits, incorporated associations and clubs).

Recommendation 14

5.150

The Committee recommends that the Australian Government expand the scope of the Northern Australia Tourism Initiative to include the Innovation Connections program.

Recommendation 15

5.151

The Committee recommends that the Australian Government continue to fund the Tourism Demand-Driver Infrastructure programme beyond mid‑2018.

Recommendation 16

5.152

The Committee recommends that the Australian Government, in partnership with the state and territories, analyse the impact of high insurance costs on tourism investment in Northern Australia (particularly since the privatisation of the Territory Insurance Office) and implement measures to reduce insurance premiums; and

that insurance be made available for homes and businesses in the Indian Ocean Territories to stimulate business investment.

Recommendation 17

5.153

The Committee recommends that the Australian Government conduct a review of its initiatives relating to land tenure and native title that were announced as part of the White Paper on Developing Northern Australia, to determine whether they are producing concrete outcomes for traditional owners, how they could better support cultural tourism, and what further reform may be needed.

Recommendation 18

5.154

The Committee recommends that the Australian Government work with the states and territories to remove restrictions on pastoral leases to allow for longer tenure periods and a wider range of economic activities on pastoral land, including tourism, consistent with the rights of native title holders.

Recommendation 19

5.155

The Committee recommends that the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority:

Implement measures to ensure allocated permits are being used regularly and if not, can be reallocated;

Implement an industry-led bonds scheme for smaller businesses and reduce the amount of capital required for bonds from larger businesses; and

Consider further ways to reduce waiting times for permits.

Recommendation 20

5.156

The Committee recommends that the Australian Government improve mobile and data services across Northern Australia, particularly in areas with a high reliance on tourism.

Recommendation 21

5.157

The Committee recommends that the Australian Government work with the states and territories to improve tourist facilities and access in the following areas:

Cape York;

Monkey Mia Reserve, Shark Bay and Coral Bay;

East MacDonnell Ranges; and

Remote areas of Northern Australia, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities that are working to expand their tourism offerings.

Recommendation 22

6.105

The Committee recommends the Australian Government, in partnership with the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia Governments facilitate and fund the establishment of a peak body for Northern Australia representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism operators. This body should work with Tourism Australia and state and territory tourism bodies to develop a strategy for the development of cultural tourism in Northern Australia.

Recommendation 23

6.106

The Committee recommends Tourism Australia work with Indigenous Business Australia to re-establish the Indigenous Tourism Champions Program.

Recommendation 24

6.107

The Committee recommends the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet consider expanding the scope of its Indigenous Ranger projects to include opportunities to support the tourism industry in remote areas.

Recommendation 25

6.108

The Committee recommends the Australian Government review business development programs to ensure they stimulate the creation and growth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism businesses in Northern Australia.

Recommendation 26

6.109

The Committee recommends that (in recognition of the closure of the climb up Uluru) the Australian and Northern Territory Governments consult and work with traditional owners to consider and implement options to increase tourist visitation to Uluru (for example, through events and/or new tourism experiences).

Recommendation 27

6.110

The Committee recommends that Parks Australia be given increased funding to improve infrastructure within National Parks. Infrastructure in Kakadu National Park should be upgraded as a priority, to stimulate private investment and improve access for tourists.

Recommendation 28

6.111

The Committee recommends Parks Australia and its state and territory counterparts establish an agreed and consistent regulatory approach to the consideration of investment in national parks, including private-public partnerships.

Recommendation 29

6.112

The Committee recommends the Australian Government, in partnership with the Northern Territory, Queensland, and Western Australia Governments implement a trial of the harmonisation of regulatory arrangements regarding hire cars, to assist in stimulating the drive tourism market.

Recommendation 30

6.113

The Committee recommends that cabotage restrictions be lifted for the Indian Ocean Territories.

Recommendation 31

6.114

The Committee strongly and urgently recommends the Australian Government reissue a licence to enable the Christmas Island Casino Resort to re-open.

Recommendation 32

6.115

The Committee recommends the Australian Government develop and implement plans (in consultation with local residents) for the following assets on the Indian Ocean Territories (including consideration of their potential to support the tourism industry):

the Immigration Detention Centre on Christmas Island following its expected closure in mid-2018; and

the Quarantine station on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

Recommendation 33

6.116

The Committee recommends the Australian Government as a matter of urgency commit to removing asbestos from Commonwealth built, owned and privately sold infrastructure on the Indian Ocean Territories (including residential properties) and other dangerous and toxic materials (such as gas cylinders and fire retardant canisters) as soon as possible.

List of Recommendations