Muller’s latest pitch adds $100m

National is promising tourism businesses $100 million in ‘‘accelerator’’ grants for new projects that boost demand for tourism.

The party’s leader, Todd Muller, pitched the policy at a snowy Coronet Peak in Queenstown, yesterday, saying tourism operators needed ‘‘direct cash support’’ and confidence the industry would rebound.

‘‘This is about listening to a community that is on their knees and who wants to have a Government that will partner with them for recovery and that is what we are offering today,’’ he told Stuff.

The cash would not be provided to businesses to cover their usual costs, but would fund up to 70 per cent of new projects that would drive new demand for tourism. The Government would not take an equity stake in the projects.

The fund would be available over four years, and Muller said the pot of money may further increase.

An independent board made up of people with expertise in tourism would decide which projects received the money. There would be no project too large, or too small, to be considered for the fund.

Muller was critical of the Government’s current effort to aid the coronavirus-stricken industry, saying it had announced $400m in funding and spent very little so far.

‘‘This Government’s spend in the tourism space is around working groups and advice . . . Our approach is very different.

It is to work with the sector,’’ he said.

The tourism accelerator fund is the second policy announcement from the new National leader.

Last week, Muller said if National won the upcoming election, it would provide $10,000 payments to each business that hires a new worker from November, until a $500m cap on the scheme is reached.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson, who announced a further expansion of the Government’s wage subsidy scheme yesterday, said National’s policy proposal felt ‘‘out of step’’ with what tourism businesses need.

‘‘Where tourism businesses are at the moment is making sure we protect their assets and support their transition, rather than going down some new path,’’ Robertson said.

‘‘We’ve obviously got a fund of $400m that’s already being distributed, which is around protecting the assets that exist, and supporting businesses with their changing arrangements and transitions.’’

Tourism Industry Association chief executive Chris Roberts said National’s proposed policy was attractive, and it ‘‘identifies that innovation and new thinking will be needed and should be supported as we rebuild our tourism industry’’.

‘‘This is about listening to a community that is on their knees . . .’’ Todd Muller

National Party leader