Red tape sinks visits

Call to ease restrictions on giant market

NICK DALTON nick.dalton@news.com.au STATE Treasurer Curtis Pitt is calling for an urgent review of charter restrictions, which he says are constricting the multimillion dollar superyacht sector.

He has written to Federal Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Steven Ciobo seeking a lifting of restrictions the Commonwealth places on superyachts entering Australia.

Mr Pitt said the regulations were a barrier for the industry’s growth.

“This is a boom industry for Queensland but Federal Government restrictions are holding us back,” he said.

“Australia is losing out on millions of dollars in direct economic benefit as a result of federal red tape, charges and restrictions.

“It appears these restric- tions are actually causing foreign superyachts to overlook Australia and visit other countries in the Asia-Pacific region instead.”

Mr Pitt said countries such as New Zealand, Fiji and Vanuatu offered superyachts more flexible chartering arrangements.

He said Queensland currently attracted the majority of all foreign superyachts visiting Australia, lured by the natural beauty of the Great Barrier Reef and availability of major supply and repair facilities in centres like Cairns.

“Evidence shows that just one foreign superyacht can spend $2.5 million in a 12month period,” Mr Pitt said.

Super Yacht Group Great Barrier Reef chairman Matthew Templeton said the current restrictions “make us uncompetitive and unattractive”.

Advance Cairns chief executive Kevin Byrne said there must be policy changes allowing longer stays for international crews and to permit vessels to enter and stay in Australian waters for extended charter periods, without attracting any burdensome taxation and permitting restrictions.