It is also important that all levels of government support tourism and that the wider community fully understands the economic benefits that flow from a dynamic and thriving tourism sector. This is particularly the case in those cities, towns and regions that are dependent on the sector and therefore vulnerable to troughs in the economic cycle or changes in market conditions.

The Bligh government recognises the importance of tourism to the Queensland economy and acknowledges the challenges the industry faces ahead. That is why our government pledged an additional $38 million over three years to support the marketing of Queensland as a superb destination for leisure and business travelers and other niche markets.

In a recent report on the industry in tropical North Queensland, commissioned by the federal Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, it was recommended that all levels of government and industry work together to ensure the alignment of policy and regulation and determine priority infrastructure for the region.

As the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Tourism I have offered to convene a task force to implement this recommendation. I look forward to working with Val Schier, the mayor of the Cairns Regional Council, Mr Jim Turnour, the federal member for Leichardt, Tourism Queensland, Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Advance Cairns, the Cairns Chamber of Commerce and others to position tropical North Queensland to remain one of Queensland's premier tourism destinations.

I think the Queensland tourism industry is dynamic, adaptable and resilient. I look forward to working with the Hon. Peter Lawlor, the Minister for Tourism, to meet the challenges ahead.