Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Tourism operators are warning proposed federal government cuts to longer
stay tourists and working holiday visas could hurt the Northern
Territory's economy. Now, tourism, the Tourism Council in WA, they've
been out and basically said that backpackers are critical to
regional tourism, with many needing more than 12 months to
(00:20):
travel across Australia. And they're campaigning. So in Tourism WA,
they're campaigning to retain the number and the length of
stay of of those visas. Now, joining us on the
line to speak more about this from the Northern Territories perspective,
it's the Tourism and Hospitality Minister, Marie-Claire Boothby. Good morning
to you.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Good morning, Katie, and to everyone.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Thanks so much for your time this morning. Now, tell me,
what is the concern here with these cuts to longer
stay tourist and working holiday visas?
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Yeah, so in the Northern Territory, we are going to
see some huge changes if these laws go through to
change these caps. I mean, already we see the federal
government making changes. They're basically putting a pause on holiday
maker or backpacker visas in lots of different countries and
partner countries that we have. And what that means is
(01:12):
that people from Europe and those that come over here
to work and to holiday, you know, they're not being processed.
There's a pause on them. And so, of course, that
impacts our tourism and hospitality, not only the sector, but
also the workers that we have. But now they're also
looking to further squeeze out these backpackers by reducing the
(01:32):
length of stay from 12 months that they can travel
around Australia and work in Australia to only six months.
And that has an absolute dire impact, not only for
the rest of Australia, but when you look at the
regions and the whole of the territory is a region
that we're just not going to see the same numbers
of people coming through to be able to work in
those areas. And, of course, anyone who's been down Mitchell
(01:54):
Street or out in Alice Springs, you know, the hospitality sector,
it's run on backpackers. Our employers rely on those workers.
That's part of it. And then the other part of
it is if they don't have those workers... then they're
not going to be able to open. And then even
the workers themselves, they're backpackers for a reason. They want
to come and visit and explore and spend their money
(02:15):
that they're earning out looking into our region. So they're
not going to be able to do that because they'll
have a much shorter stay. So it's a huge impact
for the tourism industry here in the Territory. On the
back of, you know, what's been a really tough season.
And these guys are the ones that cop it every
single time. And it's like the feds don't even care
about it.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
So tell me, why have they, like, what reasoning are
they giving for these proposed changes? Because I want to
be really clear here. They've not passed yet, have they?
These are proposed.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Yeah, so the proposal for the 12 months down to
six months is in train. They're not looking like they're
backing down on that. So we're very concerned. A lot
of the other changes have already started happening, though. you know,
without any sort of care in the world. My understanding
is that they're trying to solve a migration problem they
have in Sydney and Melbourne. I mean, they're massive cities that, sure,
if there's problems down there, that's on them. Don't make
(03:06):
changes that impact everybody in Australia, including our regions. Northern
Territory are the ones that are going to cop it
the most because we need our backpackers the most. Well, surely.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Like, you would think it would be quite a simple
fix that we go, all right, well, let's carve out some,
you know, some different rules here for regional Australia. Exactly.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
And they can do it for other things when they're
carving out certain things. But for some reason, this one here,
they're just locked in and said, no, no, this is
going to be for everybody. It sounds like a political
storm they're trying to solve. And all it's doing is
throwing the tourism industry in the Northern Territory and our
other regions across Australia under the bus.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
So, Minister, what kind of impact do you, you know,
genuinely and legitimately feel that these changes could have on
our tourism and hospitality industry?
Speaker 2 (03:48):
Well, I'll give you an example, Katie. Around 7,000 people
in the year to March 2026 came on these visas,
these 12-month visas. They came to the Northern Territory, so
they were working in all of our venues across the region,
spending their money as they travel around, which is exactly
what we want to see. So if those 7,000 people
are reduced because many of them might not come, they
(04:10):
might not think six months is long enough, not to
mention the pause they already have on the applications. Like
no new first-time visas applications are being processed right now.
So given it takes a long time to process, it
used to be that it took a day, now it
takes months and months. I mean, we're talking a huge lag.
And then if they add on top of that the reduction...
(04:30):
We're just not going to see them come. They're going
to spend all their time, if they do come, in
Sydney or Melbourne. They're not going to travel out to
the regions. And that's where we absolutely need them to
be travelling to. And they were until these changes started
coming in.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Well, and I just think it's a real shame. Like, obviously,
we're talking about this from a tourism and hospitality perspective
right now. But even yesterday, I was speaking to a hairdresser,
you know, who'd moved here many, many years ago. And
she had moved here on a working holiday visa, you know,
for a year and ended up staying here and now
has a wonderful business and has worked bloody hard, built
her family here. You just think this can have an
(05:02):
impact in a lot of different ways. And I get
it that some of our major capital cities, it might
be having an adverse impact. But how do we, you know,
like what are the next steps, do you think, for
the Northern Territory in terms of trying to advocate for
that we are different and we need some different rules?
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Yeah, well, we've taken a really strong approach. We've been
to Canberra. We've said, hands off, we need these changed,
a carve-out at the minimum, but we really don't want
them to do it at all. We think that they
can solve their migration problems through different policy. So we're
going to be lobbying hard. We've joined the fight with
all the other tourism associations, and they're right across the country.
(05:43):
We've got our really great ones here in the Northern Territory.
I know that Sam Bennett, she's going down to Canberra
next week, so she'll be meeting with people. There's a
press conference, I think, being held in Canberra, probably right
now as we speak, from some of the really major
players from across Australia. I mean, we're on this fight
with them, this journey. We're backing in our guys here locally. And,
(06:04):
you know, we just need them to really consider this seriously.
I mean, I don't know where our Labor federal members
are on this.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
We have actually got a statement from him. So Luke
Gosling has just issued a statement to us and said that, well,
that basically I've been speaking with the relevant ministerial colleagues
about the concerns being raised by the tourism sector. I'll
continue advocating for the Northern Territory and making sure our
workers and tourism needs are understood and supported. So it
(06:34):
does sound as though he's trying to advocate that the
Northern Territory needs something very different to what other states might.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Good. And we need him to stand up to his
federal counterparts. I mean, he needs to tell Albanese to
go and get nicked because... We absolutely need this for
our tourism sector. I mean, like I said, we've been
through the ringer with the fuel crisis and floods and
all sorts. We just cannot afford for this to happen.
And like you also said.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
So have you spoken to the Federal Minister yet? Or
where are things at from that perspective?
Speaker 2 (07:01):
So the Federal Minister sits in a different portfolio. I
have written to him because it's a migration portfolio. We
also have Robyn Carl, who is our Migration Minister, and
she is lobbying hard as well. There's many aspects of migration...
where the territory is impacted. And you would have seen
that lobbying in the past as well, and that continues. But,
you know, we're really serious about this. We want our
(07:21):
tourism industry to thrive. You know, we know we have
the best place in the world for people to visit.
And if they can come here on a working holiday visa,
which is our backpackers, they work in our venues, they
also spend their money that they earn here traveling around
our region. I mean, that's what we need. And without that,
like we're on the back foot. And what worries me
the most is that some of those tourism operators that
(07:43):
rely on that, they're going to have to cut back
the days in which they do tours and, you know,
the venues that we all go to and love. It is, Katie.
I mean, that's a really frank way of putting it.
I mean, we're just sick of being... left out of
this conversation and being all the unintended consequences while they're
trying to solve a problem for Sydney and Melbourne.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
Yeah, and look, I get it. I get it that
they might have those issues in Sydney and Melbourne, but,
you know, it's a different scenario for us here in
the Northern Territory. And look, we are going to catch
up with Cathy Simmons, the Hospitality NT CEO, in a
few minutes' time to talk further about this. But I
do want to ask you, in terms of visitation at
the moment, I mean, you've touched on a few times
there the fact that the fuel prices and some of
(08:24):
the other issues that we've had, across the Territory and
around Australia, I guess, when it comes to tourism this year.
How is visitation going with all of these issues that
we have been grappling with over the last few months?
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Yeah, look, it is soft compared to some years. I mean,
I wouldn't say it's dire yet, but different speeds happen
in different areas. I mean, when we have our major
events here in the Territory or even some of the
smaller ones that bring a lot of people, That really
helps all of our venues out there and, of course,
our tour operators. And we have seen that and a
really strong presence around that. We've had record numbers at
(09:00):
many of the events that we've had. So that's really
good news and that does help everyone get through. But,
you know, it's no secret that we've had a rough time,
especially at the beginning of the season. It took a
while for our tourists to come. They were worried about
fuel prices. And so we're doing everything we can. I mean,
with our young backpackers we're trying to attract, we're rolling
out the red carpet for them. We've done a campaign.
(09:21):
We're saying, come here. We need you. We love you.
We've got everything you want to have a look at.
And yet then the feds go and, you know, rip
it out from underneath us and just basically lock the
gate on them, which is just not acceptable. So we'll
keep fighting the fight. Yeah. You know, we just hope
that they listen to us because they haven't so far.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Well, one of the other things that we did speak
about earlier in the week was these tourism vouchers for
Central Australia. Daniel Rochford had joined us on the show
and we spoke more about that. I mean, is this
something that we need to see across the whole of
the Northern Territory?
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Look, I think in Central Australia, they fought really hard
to get that specifically because they, wanted to see the
increase happen really quickly. And of course, we welcome all
of that as well. I mean, what happens with vouchers
in the top end is that some people use them
and some people don't. I mean, I definitely don't want
to go and just change policy because obviously it has
unintended consequences like we've seen from the feds. But I
(10:13):
think our tourism sector knows that as a government, we
absolutely support them. We always listen to them. They're at
the table. We change things. We pivot all the time
based on the feedback they give us. And so we'll
keep doing that work and speaking with them and we'll
keep backing them in.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
So no plans for vouchers up our way yet?
Speaker 2 (10:30):
No, I think, you know, the federal government could have
come and thrown a bit of money our way as
well if that's what they wanted to see more people
up here, but it didn't happen. It happened in Central Australia.
And I'm very, very pleased for that because, you know,
Central Australia do need that support. I mean, they've been
through the ringer more than anybody else. And so... So
I'm glad to see that happening. I hope it does
have an impact and that I'll be heading there shortly.
(10:51):
So it'll be great to see how the people in
Alice Springs are actually going on the ground.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
Well, Minister, just a very quick one before I let
you go. Next week, I think it is, the motocross
is coming back to the Territory. How are all the
numbers looking? How are things going for this?
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Yeah, the MXGP, the numbers are looking pretty good. There
is still tickets available and I've actually noticed... We're really
ramping up around the top end especially. I went out
to Casuarina on the weekend and they've got the stand
set up there. They really want the locals to come
out and have a look because last year we had
mostly interstaters that went. This time we want to try
and get the locals involved because we know that they're
(11:25):
going to absolutely love it. I mean, last night I
was out with the Chariots of Thunder sprint cars along
Mitchell Street doing the motorcade through the city. And I
couldn't believe the number of locals in their pubs basically
cheering on the sprint cars. I mean, Territorians just love
their motorsport. And so, yeah, I reckon the weekend is
going to be pretty good. It'll be jam-packed and lots
of things to do, especially families. We've got a heap
(11:46):
of other activities for families this year as well. So
if you haven't got a ticket yet, get online and
get on because it's going to be great.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
I reckon it will be. Well, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality,
Marie-Claire Boothby, we always appreciate your time. Thank you very
much for having a chat with us this morning.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
Thank you, Katie. Thank you.
Tourism operators are warning proposed federal government cuts to longer
stay tourists and working holiday visas could hurt the Northern
Territory's economy. Now, tourism, the Tourism Council in WA, they've
been out and basically said that backpackers are critical to
regional tourism, with many needing more than 12 months to
(00:20):
travel across Australia. And they're campaigning. So in Tourism WA,
they're campaigning to retain the number and the length of
stay of of those visas. Now, joining us on the
line to speak more about this from the Northern Territories perspective,
it's the Tourism and Hospitality Minister, Marie-Claire Boothby. Good morning
to you.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Good morning, Katie, and to everyone.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Thanks so much for your time this morning. Now, tell me,
what is the concern here with these cuts to longer
stay tourist and working holiday visas?
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Yeah, so in the Northern Territory, we are going to
see some huge changes if these laws go through to
change these caps. I mean, already we see the federal
government making changes. They're basically putting a pause on holiday
maker or backpacker visas in lots of different countries and
partner countries that we have. And what that means is
(01:12):
that people from Europe and those that come over here
to work and to holiday, you know, they're not being processed.
There's a pause on them. And so, of course, that
impacts our tourism and hospitality, not only the sector, but
also the workers that we have. But now they're also
looking to further squeeze out these backpackers by reducing the
(01:32):
length of stay from 12 months that they can travel
around Australia and work in Australia to only six months.
And that has an absolute dire impact, not only for
the rest of Australia, but when you look at the
regions and the whole of the territory is a region
that we're just not going to see the same numbers
of people coming through to be able to work in
those areas. And, of course, anyone who's been down Mitchell
(01:54):
Street or out in Alice Springs, you know, the hospitality sector,
it's run on backpackers. Our employers rely on those workers.
That's part of it. And then the other part of
it is if they don't have those workers... then they're
not going to be able to open. And then even
the workers themselves, they're backpackers for a reason. They want
to come and visit and explore and spend their money
(02:15):
that they're earning out looking into our region. So they're
not going to be able to do that because they'll
have a much shorter stay. So it's a huge impact
for the tourism industry here in the Territory. On the
back of, you know, what's been a really tough season.
And these guys are the ones that cop it every
single time. And it's like the feds don't even care
about it.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
So tell me, why have they, like, what reasoning are
they giving for these proposed changes? Because I want to
be really clear here. They've not passed yet, have they?
These are proposed.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Yeah, so the proposal for the 12 months down to
six months is in train. They're not looking like they're
backing down on that. So we're very concerned. A lot
of the other changes have already started happening, though. you know,
without any sort of care in the world. My understanding
is that they're trying to solve a migration problem they
have in Sydney and Melbourne. I mean, they're massive cities that, sure,
if there's problems down there, that's on them. Don't make
(03:06):
changes that impact everybody in Australia, including our regions. Northern
Territory are the ones that are going to cop it
the most because we need our backpackers the most. Well, surely.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Like, you would think it would be quite a simple
fix that we go, all right, well, let's carve out some,
you know, some different rules here for regional Australia. Exactly.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
And they can do it for other things when they're
carving out certain things. But for some reason, this one here,
they're just locked in and said, no, no, this is
going to be for everybody. It sounds like a political
storm they're trying to solve. And all it's doing is
throwing the tourism industry in the Northern Territory and our
other regions across Australia under the bus.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
So, Minister, what kind of impact do you, you know,
genuinely and legitimately feel that these changes could have on
our tourism and hospitality industry?
Speaker 2 (03:48):
Well, I'll give you an example, Katie. Around 7,000 people
in the year to March 2026 came on these visas,
these 12-month visas. They came to the Northern Territory, so
they were working in all of our venues across the region,
spending their money as they travel around, which is exactly
what we want to see. So if those 7,000 people
are reduced because many of them might not come, they
(04:10):
might not think six months is long enough, not to
mention the pause they already have on the applications. Like
no new first-time visas applications are being processed right now.
So given it takes a long time to process, it
used to be that it took a day, now it
takes months and months. I mean, we're talking a huge lag.
And then if they add on top of that the reduction...
(04:30):
We're just not going to see them come. They're going
to spend all their time, if they do come, in
Sydney or Melbourne. They're not going to travel out to
the regions. And that's where we absolutely need them to
be travelling to. And they were until these changes started
coming in.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Well, and I just think it's a real shame. Like, obviously,
we're talking about this from a tourism and hospitality perspective
right now. But even yesterday, I was speaking to a hairdresser,
you know, who'd moved here many, many years ago. And
she had moved here on a working holiday visa, you know,
for a year and ended up staying here and now
has a wonderful business and has worked bloody hard, built
her family here. You just think this can have an
(05:02):
impact in a lot of different ways. And I get
it that some of our major capital cities, it might
be having an adverse impact. But how do we, you know,
like what are the next steps, do you think, for
the Northern Territory in terms of trying to advocate for
that we are different and we need some different rules?
Speaker 2 (05:21):
Yeah, well, we've taken a really strong approach. We've been
to Canberra. We've said, hands off, we need these changed,
a carve-out at the minimum, but we really don't want
them to do it at all. We think that they
can solve their migration problems through different policy. So we're
going to be lobbying hard. We've joined the fight with
all the other tourism associations, and they're right across the country.
(05:43):
We've got our really great ones here in the Northern Territory.
I know that Sam Bennett, she's going down to Canberra
next week, so she'll be meeting with people. There's a
press conference, I think, being held in Canberra, probably right
now as we speak, from some of the really major
players from across Australia. I mean, we're on this fight
with them, this journey. We're backing in our guys here locally. And,
(06:04):
you know, we just need them to really consider this seriously.
I mean, I don't know where our Labor federal members
are on this.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
We have actually got a statement from him. So Luke
Gosling has just issued a statement to us and said that, well,
that basically I've been speaking with the relevant ministerial colleagues
about the concerns being raised by the tourism sector. I'll
continue advocating for the Northern Territory and making sure our
workers and tourism needs are understood and supported. So it
(06:34):
does sound as though he's trying to advocate that the
Northern Territory needs something very different to what other states might.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Good. And we need him to stand up to his
federal counterparts. I mean, he needs to tell Albanese to
go and get nicked because... We absolutely need this for
our tourism sector. I mean, like I said, we've been
through the ringer with the fuel crisis and floods and
all sorts. We just cannot afford for this to happen.
And like you also said.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
So have you spoken to the Federal Minister yet? Or
where are things at from that perspective?
Speaker 2 (07:01):
So the Federal Minister sits in a different portfolio. I
have written to him because it's a migration portfolio. We
also have Robyn Carl, who is our Migration Minister, and
she is lobbying hard as well. There's many aspects of migration...
where the territory is impacted. And you would have seen
that lobbying in the past as well, and that continues. But,
you know, we're really serious about this. We want our
(07:21):
tourism industry to thrive. You know, we know we have
the best place in the world for people to visit.
And if they can come here on a working holiday visa,
which is our backpackers, they work in our venues, they
also spend their money that they earn here traveling around
our region. I mean, that's what we need. And without that,
like we're on the back foot. And what worries me
the most is that some of those tourism operators that
(07:43):
rely on that, they're going to have to cut back
the days in which they do tours and, you know,
the venues that we all go to and love. It is, Katie.
I mean, that's a really frank way of putting it.
I mean, we're just sick of being... left out of
this conversation and being all the unintended consequences while they're
trying to solve a problem for Sydney and Melbourne.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
Yeah, and look, I get it. I get it that
they might have those issues in Sydney and Melbourne, but,
you know, it's a different scenario for us here in
the Northern Territory. And look, we are going to catch
up with Cathy Simmons, the Hospitality NT CEO, in a
few minutes' time to talk further about this. But I
do want to ask you, in terms of visitation at
the moment, I mean, you've touched on a few times
there the fact that the fuel prices and some of
(08:24):
the other issues that we've had, across the Territory and
around Australia, I guess, when it comes to tourism this year.
How is visitation going with all of these issues that
we have been grappling with over the last few months?
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Yeah, look, it is soft compared to some years. I mean,
I wouldn't say it's dire yet, but different speeds happen
in different areas. I mean, when we have our major
events here in the Territory or even some of the
smaller ones that bring a lot of people, That really
helps all of our venues out there and, of course,
our tour operators. And we have seen that and a
really strong presence around that. We've had record numbers at
(09:00):
many of the events that we've had. So that's really
good news and that does help everyone get through. But,
you know, it's no secret that we've had a rough time,
especially at the beginning of the season. It took a
while for our tourists to come. They were worried about
fuel prices. And so we're doing everything we can. I mean,
with our young backpackers we're trying to attract, we're rolling
out the red carpet for them. We've done a campaign.
(09:21):
We're saying, come here. We need you. We love you.
We've got everything you want to have a look at.
And yet then the feds go and, you know, rip
it out from underneath us and just basically lock the
gate on them, which is just not acceptable. So we'll
keep fighting the fight. Yeah. You know, we just hope
that they listen to us because they haven't so far.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Well, one of the other things that we did speak
about earlier in the week was these tourism vouchers for
Central Australia. Daniel Rochford had joined us on the show
and we spoke more about that. I mean, is this
something that we need to see across the whole of
the Northern Territory?
Speaker 2 (09:50):
Look, I think in Central Australia, they fought really hard
to get that specifically because they, wanted to see the
increase happen really quickly. And of course, we welcome all
of that as well. I mean, what happens with vouchers
in the top end is that some people use them
and some people don't. I mean, I definitely don't want
to go and just change policy because obviously it has
unintended consequences like we've seen from the feds. But I
(10:13):
think our tourism sector knows that as a government, we
absolutely support them. We always listen to them. They're at
the table. We change things. We pivot all the time
based on the feedback they give us. And so we'll
keep doing that work and speaking with them and we'll
keep backing them in.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
So no plans for vouchers up our way yet?
Speaker 2 (10:30):
No, I think, you know, the federal government could have
come and thrown a bit of money our way as
well if that's what they wanted to see more people
up here, but it didn't happen. It happened in Central Australia.
And I'm very, very pleased for that because, you know,
Central Australia do need that support. I mean, they've been
through the ringer more than anybody else. And so... So
I'm glad to see that happening. I hope it does
have an impact and that I'll be heading there shortly.
(10:51):
So it'll be great to see how the people in
Alice Springs are actually going on the ground.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
Well, Minister, just a very quick one before I let
you go. Next week, I think it is, the motocross
is coming back to the Territory. How are all the
numbers looking? How are things going for this?
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Yeah, the MXGP, the numbers are looking pretty good. There
is still tickets available and I've actually noticed... We're really
ramping up around the top end especially. I went out
to Casuarina on the weekend and they've got the stand
set up there. They really want the locals to come
out and have a look because last year we had
mostly interstaters that went. This time we want to try
and get the locals involved because we know that they're
(11:25):
going to absolutely love it. I mean, last night I
was out with the Chariots of Thunder sprint cars along
Mitchell Street doing the motorcade through the city. And I
couldn't believe the number of locals in their pubs basically
cheering on the sprint cars. I mean, Territorians just love
their motorsport. And so, yeah, I reckon the weekend is
going to be pretty good. It'll be jam-packed and lots
of things to do, especially families. We've got a heap
(11:46):
of other activities for families this year as well. So
if you haven't got a ticket yet, get online and
get on because it's going to be great.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
I reckon it will be. Well, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality,
Marie-Claire Boothby, we always appreciate your time. Thank you very
much for having a chat with us this morning.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
Thank you, Katie. Thank you.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Bobby Bones Show
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.