Tourism Minister on holiday over ERB

The Tourism Minister may as well have been on holiday for all the good he has done for the tourism industry over the Employment Relations Bill, National's Tourism spokesperson David Carter said today.

"The Minister has today admitted to the select committee examining the tourism Budget numbers that he never turned his mind to the impact of the Bill on the tourism industry.

"Mark Burton was asked at the select committee what policy research he initiated into the effects of the Employment Relations Bill. The answer? Absolutely none.

"He was also questioned as to whether he expected more industrial unrest in the tourism sector as a result of the Bill.

"His answer "I haven't given that any great thought" .

"This comes in the wake of the Tourism Industry Association survey indicating that most tourism operators expect the introduction of the ERB to cause employment levels to fall.

"Tourism operators expect much more from their Minister than the "who-cares" attitude he displayed at the select committee towards the impact of Government decisions on the tourism industry."

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