Tourism in Australia

The Advertiser reports while Australia has recovered from the disastrous effects of the recession and our dollar is stronger than ever, many generation X and Y members have decided now is the perfect time to party Europe style and bask in the european sun with fellow Europeans who have stopped travelling here due to our increasingly stronger dollar.  

Australia prides itself on being a tourist’s dream with clear blue water, native animals, beaches and sunshine, but with our economy on the rise and our dollar stronger than ever, it’s turning people away from our country.

Australia is calling international tourists. Source: Olivia Noakes.

This is the biggest gap in the number of tourists arriving in and leaving Australia on record.

The number of Australians holidaying overseas was up 16 per cent while the arrivals only grew by three per cent.

As the Australian dollar remains strong our tourism sector weakens as more people are heading overseas with cheap airfares from an ever-growing number of competing carriers.

The Sunshine Coast

Queensland Tourism promotes the Sunshine Coast as a popular holiday destination for domestic and overseas travellers, with Noosa being one of its star attractions.

With the recent financial woes driving people overseas, Councillor Russel Green says it’s time to campaign energetically.

“Our own domestic market has certainly dropped,” Cr Green said.

“The tourism industry in Noosa is an $800m industry and many of our small businesses rely on the influx of tourists at peak season.

“We are still showing growth overall in our tourism figures over the last 12 months yet there were some segments struggling in comparison with the rest of Australia and our main competitors the Asia Pacific Rim,” he said.

In order to combat this, Tourism Noosa has created a new campaign with the aim to revitalise Noosa’s tourist brand.

The objective is to generate $1 billion in visitor spending by 2020 through luring Generation X and Y into relaxation mode.  Tourism Noosa CEO Steve Cooper said the campaign encourages thinking of the best holiday experiences and then tacks onto them – BY NOOSA.

“The world is changing but so is business and so are the many customer types that are emerging of that change,” Mr Cooper said.

“The key to this is recognising that the Generation X and Y are a different breed of cat.

“The way they seek information, the way they enjoy holiday experiences and the length of that experience they are looking for is continually evolving,” he said.

China: Driving the Australian economy

The ABS discovered the fourth largest number of tourists arriving in Australia in the last year was from China.

Financial Advisor Michael Goodwin said East Asia’s withdrawal from the international recession in 2009 was earlier and more vigorous than in other parts of the world.

He believes China is leading the global recuperation in industrial production and is helping Australia’s economy. 

He praises China’s trade relations and the boom of the mining industry for keeping our economy thriving.

“Australia coped quite well leading into the GFC due to previous strong government surpluses and strong mining exports to China therefore making it less volatile than other developed countries,” Mr Goodwin said.

“China is driving our country.

“If China got into trouble we would fall apart due to the mining industry and the exporting we are doing to China,” he said.

The Global Financial Crisis

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said the financial crisis was triggered by a liquidity deficit in the United States banking scheme; it has resulted in the failure of sizeable pecuniary institutions, the rescue of banks by national governments and downturns in supply markets worldwide. 

The ABS said the world economy is rising from the throes of a historically profound and synchronised recession aggravated by the convulsive worldwide monetary bubble. 

The consequences of the original bubble and the resultant disaster have been felt in almost every market whether or not it participated directly in the perilous behaviours that precipitated the boom-and-bust cycle.

The European Union

Financialmirror.com said the European Union (EU) had suffered most significantly including Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and Spain (PIIGS). 

In early 2010, suspicions of a sovereign debt crisis developed concerning these countries. 

Stockbroker Rob Foote said this led to a crisis of confidence as well as the widening of bond yield spreads and risk insurance on credit default swaps between these countries and other EU members, most significantly Germany.

He said Greece is at the forefront of this crisis and the state of Greece’s public finances is a test not only for the country’s policymakers but also for other members of the European Union, particularly Germany whose economy is booming.

Mr Foote believes Germany should bail Greece out of debt as they are both members of the union.

“The european economy as a whole has reported quite strong growth figures in the second quarter of this year because of exports mainly from Germany due to the weak euro making their exports more attractive; the PIIGS have been growing at a much slower rate,” Mr Foote said.

“Greece doesn’t have many options and can only rely on the strength of the rest of Europe.

“They have had 20 years or longer of mismanagement of the economy and it’s not a recent problem and therefore Germany should be assisting Greece as they are all part of the European Union,” he said.

Could this mark the beginning of the end of the euro-era?

According to statistics published on the International Strategic Analysis website last year, Greece’s budget deficit reached 12.7 per cent of GDP.

Rob Foote said there were reported worries over whether the Greeks would act to cut their spending and deficits and this has caused paroxysms in the bond markets.

He said late last month the yield on ten-year Greek government bonds vaulted to 7.1 per cent, the highest since the country joined the euro area and about four percentage points more than on German bonds, the euro zone’s safest investment.

So what happens now? 

It’s hard to predict whether the European economy will remain slow to recover. 

Mr Foote said the financial sector is an abundance of questions and unknowns.

He said as the Australian dollar grows stronger, it could create a double-edged sword; Europeans will continue to stay home while Australians will travel. 

If Mr Goodwin’s views on China are correct one thing remains certain; this engine room of the world must not slow markedly as it would affect other world economies and leave the global financial market in limbo.

Owner of Eumundi Strawberries on the Sunshine Coast Ray Ladwig has been left picking up the pieces after a week of torrential rain.

Delicious red strawberries won't be around this Summer season. Source: Olivia Noakes.

“It’s a huge loss to us, we’re having about a 75 per cent throw out at the moment and if weather persists like this over the weekend we’ll probably have to finish for the season but we were hoping to go for another month,” Mr Ladwig said.

Mr Ladwig said it’s disappointing for staff who had to be let go earlier than usual.

“We’ve got about 35 people on staff at the moment and they will be affected as they’ll have to find work elsewhere,” he said.

The Wamuran Company supplies fruit growers on the Sunshine Coast with equipment and Retail Manager Bruce Koppen said the weather caught farmers and businesses off guard.

“This time of year towards the end of their crop and having this amount of rain is something that a lot of the growers out there haven’t expreienced and weren’t prepared for it,” Mr Koppen said.

Creating a downturn spiral affect, it has had a negative impact on Wamuran’s profits.

“It’ll probably take about 10-15 per cent of our bottom line at the end of the year,” Mr Koppen said.

Laurens Grobler from the Queensland Growers Association said capacity is down across South East Queensland.

“The whole Queensland strawberry industry is running now at around 30 per cent capacity,” Mr Grobler said.

“With all the rain across the highway the water replicated one big dam and all that water went through Strawberry Fields,” he said.

The owner of Strawberry Fields Jon Carmichael was left devastated  by his 50 tonne loss and says the season is all but over for the year.

“When it rains strawberries don’t like prolonged rain and then we have to pay people to pick them off and throw them away,” Mr Carmichael said.

“We can handle it once or twice but when it’s this continuous and this hard as it was this last instance the labour costs to clean up the farm just aren’t worth it,” he said.

Tourists will still be able to go and “pick their own” at Strawberry Fields farms at Palmview and Stanthorpe over the Summer.

“Spanish food is very popular in Brisbane and as we have a similar climate and similar personalities it works because we always need a change,” Ms Power said.

“I’m a total fan of Spain, they do everything well, eating to them is a total social component and something to share,” she said.

Spanish musicians play for locals in Brisbane. Source: Olivia Noakes.

As summer approaches and everyone dreams of squeezing into their itsy bitsy teeny weenie bikini, the Mediterranean diet appears to be in sync with both the Queensland climate and its health conscious, trendy population. 

The ingredients used in Spanish cooking are known to be fresh, natural and nourishing, with liberal use of herbs, oils and spices delivering scintillating flavours. 

Queenslanders are jumping on the Mediterranean bandwagon with nine Spanish restaurants currently operating within a 5 kilometre radius of Brisbane’s CBD. 

Additionally, people are trying new and exciting delicacies at places from fine dining eateries to backstreet cafes or even sharing tapas and sangria round the deck at home watching the Queensland sunset.

Bistro C on Noosa’s world famous Hasting Street has hosted a Latin night every Wednesday for the last two years and the atmosphere, including Latin dancers, Spanish inspired cocktails, cuisine and cool canasta beats spun by Spanish DJ Seanesco Rodriquiz, make the patrons and staff feel like they’re in the midst of magical, midnight Madrid. 

Bistro C waitress, Tania Martin, says she looks forward to Wednesday and the surprises the night may bring.

“I’ve been working here for a year now and Latin night is by far my favourite shift to work; it’s a crazy night with so much laughter and adventure,” Ms Martin said.

“The atmosphere is amazing and everyone from staff to families to groups of friends get involved in the food, dancing and sheer fun of it all,” she said.

Language and Latin dance schools are also seeing increased numbers of people seeking to learn Spanish and the sexy, seductive and sultry moves of the Tango and the Samba. 

Latin dance teacher Anthea Tert, who’s been dancing for 33 years, believes the Spanish way of life is taking over as the international flavour in terms of music, culture, food and dance.

“I teach private classes and there has been a huge growth in popularity in the last two years as there are more people wanting to learn just for fun,” Mrs Tert said.

“Spanish music is very rich, it makes you feel like dancing and it has a special way of reaching people internally,” she said.

Owner of Brisbane’s Pintxo Spanish Taperia Tapas Restaurant  Melissa Telecican attributes Spanish food’s popularity to an assortment of various taste sensations and its unique social atmosphere.

“People like having variety and trying lots of different things and as the food comes out gradually it makes it ideal for the individual with our tapas train, couples or larger social groups,” Mrs Telecian said.

“We have Spanish tourists drop by for an authentic meal, however, we mainly cater to Brisbane locals, particularly those who have travelled to Spain and are passionate about the food and culture.

“I opened the restaurant after a trip to Spain, realising there were Spanish quarters in both Sydney and Melbourne yet there was a market for Spanish food in Brisbane that had yet to be discovered,” Mrs Telecican said.

A patron dining at Pintxo, Jason Quinell, said he would definitely be back.

“It’s my first time trying Spanish food and I love it,” Mr Quinell said. 

Seeing as Spanish cuisine is sizzling hot right now, you may venture out this summer, sangria in one hand, flamenco fan in the other and adopt a fearless fixation for the ‘latest’ fashionable food!

The camera and speaker system has the ability to send messages and images of distressing situations back to a localised unit.

Text messages are sent to on-call lifeguards who are aware they are to immediately respond to the alarm.

The cameras will be placed along infamous ‘black spots’ where lifesavers are unable to patrol.

Beaches included in the proposed plan include Noosa’s ‘unofficial’ nudist beach at Alexandria Bay,  which has seen three deaths since 2003.

Nude activist Dario Western supports this plan and feels it should not affect nudists wanting to visit the beach.

He says they are already aware that they are on display and are doing nothing to warrant extra attention.

“I don’t really have a problem with it, I have been a nudist for the past 20 years and have been going to Alexandria Bay since 1991.

“For the most part, everyone there is very well behaved.”

Widely known for its nudist culture, Alexandria Bay is a popular destination on the North Coast. Photo source: Rachel Claxton.

Surf Lifesaving Coordinator at the Sunshine Coast Aaron Purchase is positive the cameras will improve their ability to better patrol beaches.

“It’s something that Surf Lifesaving Queensland have had in place for a few years.”

“At the moment the introduction is more about the technology surrounding the equipment and what they can and can’t do.”

He’s confident the community will support the plan as it’s helping to keep beaches safe and enjoyable.

“In general the feedback that we have had has been quite positive, majority of the people understand that our aim  is to have zero preventable deaths and injuries across our beaches.”

Sunshine Coast resident Sharon Wells supports this decision.

“There are still plenty of hours that aren’t patrolled, so I think it is still necessary to have the Surf Lifesavers there for protection during the busier periods but using surveillance as an extra precaution is a great idea.

Gold Coast beaches have already begun a three to six month trial of the cameras and Surf Lifesaving Queensland will introduce them along the Sunshine Coast immediately after.

The current trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of the camera’s abilities and is taking place for the most part on beaches at Surfers Paradise.

Gold Coast resident Brock Langley says the cameras are promoting a safer image for Queensland beaches.

“We are known for our beaches and tourists come from all over to spend time on them. This is helping to make everyone on these beaches feel that little bit safer.”

Under Queensland’s Criminal Code, abortion is unlawful unless it is performed to “preserve the woman from serious harm to her life or physical or mental health”.

Abortion rates "never going to be zero". Photo courtesy: David Jackmanson

Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at James Cook University, Caroline de Costa said the laws occupied a grey area and were “out of date” and “out of step” with modern ideals.

“Abortion is an important health issue for women so there should be regulations within health law for the practice of abortion,” she said.

“It should not be criminalised. It should be just the same as mainstream medical practice.”

Health law expert Dr Ben White agrees.

“By moving abortion law away from the criminal model to a health model, a woman is able to obtain a termination as they are able to obtain other health services,” he said.

Dr White said current abortion laws in Queensland were contrary to other Australian jurisdictions which were increasingly moving away from criminal abortion.

“Queensland is one of the last remaining jurisdictions which still treates abortion as a criminal offence,” he said.

“The ACT regulates abortion as a health matter, like any other health issue.

“The model sets out a clear way in which abortion can be regulated outside the criminal sphere.”

Law reform opposition

But opponents of abortion law reform exist.

Brisbane obstetrician Dr Adrienne Freeman said placing abortion in health legislation would be a “double-edged sword”.

“I’m not in favour of changing anything because the change is the opportunity for a lot of restrictions to be imposed,” she said.

“You can’t do it here and you can’t do it there - this person can do it and that one can’t.

“It’s just a chance for more access block.”

Abortion alternatives

Dr Freeman said a solution could be found in education and contraceptive research.

“We have contraceptives, but we need more options -   especially for males,” she said.

“We also need more access to contraception.”

But Dr de Costa said the solutions would be temporary as abortion rates are “never going to be zero”.

Kathy Newnam, member of the Pro-Choice Action Collective agrees with Dr de Costa.

“Women have always needed abortion, women have always had abortion and they always will,” she said.

“Circumstances change and contraception does fail.”

Survey results

A survey released by non-profit sexual health organisation, Marie Stopes International found 75 per cent of GPs and women support the removal of abortion from Queensland’s Criminal Code.

Dr de Costa said she believed the authorities were aware of the views of the majority.

“I think that the police and the government know that this is what women want and need,” she said.

“But that doesn’t completely solve the problem because the law is still there, and there’s still uncertainty about it.

“It’s something that we need to work on and are working on.”

Abortion was repealed from the Crimes Act in the ACT in 2002.

In 2008, abortion was decriminalised in Victoria and guidelines were set for when abortion could take place.

Over 1,000 Red Frogs volunteers help around Australia during Schoolies Week. Photo courtesy: Red Frogs Chaplaincy Network.

As thousands of Year 12 students take their final exams and begin the countdown until Schoolies Week, Red Frogs volunteers are preparing to do more than distribute their lolly namesake – they could save teens’ lives.

Red Frogs Australia Chaplaincy Network (Red Frogs) founder and director Andy Gourley says he regularly hears stories of how his volunteers were in the right place at the right time.

“Last year there was a young girl who hit the grog too hard and basically overdosed and got alcohol poisoning,” Mr Gourley said.

“She stopped breathing and it was one of our team who was able to be there, resuscitate her and get the paramedics there.

“We often get parents who’ll write in and say ‘thank you, you took our daughter home when she was passed out on a beach, and I’d hate to think what could have happened if you guys weren’t there’.”

Humble beginnings

Red Frogs was founded in 1997, when Mr Gourley and his skateboarding crew were recruited by a Gold Coast hotel manager to provide support to students during Schoolies Week.

After buying a $10 box of Allen’s Frogs Alive Red Frogs to use as an icebreaker, students quickly dubbed them ‘the Red Frogs crew’ and the name stuck.

From these humble beginnings, the Brisbane-based chaplaincy network has since spread throughout Australia and overseas, with Red Frogs programs now operating in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand.

This year 1,300 Red Frogs volunteers will provide Schoolies Week support to 70,000 students at 17 locations around Australia, cooking 45,000 pancakes and distributing six tones of Allen’s Red Frogs.

The volunteers walk students home at night, notify emergency services, refer schoolies to support agencies, provide live entertainment, cook pancake breakfasts and clean hotel rooms.

“It is Red Frogs Australia’s mission to safeguard the next generation by changing the atmosphere of a party or an event to provide a fun, yet safe, lifestyle alternative for young people,” Mr Gourley said.

Prevention

Mr Gourley likens the Red Frogs role to that of a “fence at the top of the cliff, instead of the ambulance at the bottom”.

“Often ambos will get there just in time or just after the time, so it’s about being that fence, that prevention, which is really important,” he said.

“Red Frogs is safeguarding future doctors, lawyers, CEOS, sporting personalities while they’re all 17 and haven’t grown a brain yet.

“It is real honour to be in that position to really look after dudes at one of the biggest binge drinking parties in Australia.”

‘It’s worth it’

Student Lia Convery, 21, volunteered with Red Frogs last year on Queensland’s Gold Coast and will do so again this year, because students “need someone looking out for them”.

“They’ve just finished school, the future’s uncertain and it’s the first time many friends have lived together for a week, which can end up messily,” she said.

“There’s so much build up and expectation for this one week that it creates this intense, high pressure environment.

“As a volunteer we’re just there for the students, hanging out with them and checking up on them.

“It’s not just handing out red frogs – volunteers literally save lives.”

Minister for Community Services and Housing and Minister for Women the Honourable Karen Struthers says up to 35,000 students are expected to descend upon the Gold Coast for the two-week long party.

“We can’t stop school leavers celebrating the end of Year 12 but we can make sure they are safe and local residents and businesses aren’t disrupted,” Ms Struthers said in a statement to the media.

“On the Gold Coast, the Department of Communities will again work with Crime Stoppers Queensland to coordinate about 250 local volunteers and manage Schoolies headquarters.”

Ms Struthers said this year the Surfers Paradise Chill Out Zone will operate with extended hours until 5.30am, with staff and volunteers providing services like band-aids, water bottles, and a place to sit down.

The RACQ will again provide ‘free2go’ buses, providing free public transport between the Surfers Paradise precinct and accommodation venues from Main Beach to Broadbeach.

Advice for schoolies

Mr Gourley says the best advice he can give to schoolies is to be themselves and look after their friends.

“In other words, if you don’t normally drink like a fish and sleep with everything that moves every weekend, don’t become that type of person at Schoolies Week,” Mr Gourley said.

“Be yourself – don’t get sucked into an artificial momentum where you think you have to become a binge drinker just to impress your mates, because you could be making one of the most devastating decisions of your lifetime.”

Mr Gourley also says schoolies should not be afraid to call emergency services.

“People think you’ve got to ring 000 when you’re almost dead, but ring 000 if you’re even unsure – better to be safe than sorry,” he said.

Tips for schoolies survival:

• Drink spiking is a big issue at schoolies, so never accept drinks from others or leave your drink unattended
• Take frozen meals with you so you can eat if you run out of money
• Drink more water
• Look after your mates, stay together and don’t let them walk home alone
• Red Frogs hotline number – 1300 557 123

Related Links:

Red Frogs Australia – schoolies tips and myths, information for parents and volunteers

Schoolies Queensland Government – when and where, safety tips, access and ID, getting around

The 7pm Project - segment on Schoolies Week and the Red Frogs crew

Echoing sentiments it’s one of the best places to live, the chamber says it’s one of the worst places to do business.

Mr Goodwin said the Sunshine Coast is now one of the worst performing regions in Queensland.

Division 2 Councillor Tim Dwyer is responsible for growing areas including Caloundra  and agrees with the views held by Mr Goodwin.

“We here on the Sunshine Coast are not sending out the right message,” Cr Dwyer said.

“I think we’ve got some great long-term vision but you want to work in the short term to get action,” he said.

Cr Dwyer said the regional council must form a partnership with business owners in order to bring the coast forward.

“We have to think more about how we can work with our partners here on the Sunshine Coast being small business large business, the development industry, the tourism industry and start treating them like partners not as if they’re just another entity here on the coast working in isolation from us,” Cr Dwyer said.

He believes the council should act now instead of thinking long-term in order for the Sunshine Coast to economically bounce back.

“The vision we’ve got is for long-term outcomes and I think we’ve dropped the ball with regards to making sure we look to things to drive our economy as we look towards our ultimate vision which is to be the most sustainable region in Australia,” Cr Dwyer said.

Fellow Sunshine Coast Councillor Jenny Mckay disagrees with her colleague saying the council is doing all they can to restore the business sector.

“Council has committed and is committed to planning sustainably for our future together with our community and our community’s aspirations,” Cr Mckay said.

“We are looking at inviting any business in and across the region that would like to do business here.

Alexandra Headlands: Part of the 'third world economy' on the Sunshine Coast. Source: Olivia Noakes.

“I don’t believe we are a third world economy but if we don’t keep pursuing every opportunity well any economy can continue to spiral down,” she said.

Mr Goodwin said although Australia escaped recession during the Global Financial Crisis, Queensland  had experienced five successive quarters of negative economic growth.

Struggling business owners on the Sunshine Coast like copy printer Martin Bushell are demanding council step in before developers take their business elsewhere.

“The council has the final decision and I do think some of the councillors don’t understand the reality of business and would like to live in an ideal world rather than the real world,” Mr Bushell said.

“Business people just won’t wait. They’ll go to Ipswich, Gold Coast or Brisbane or somewhere else if they can’t get into the Sunshine Coast and if it’s their preferred model; then the council should be bending over backwards.

“You can’t just stagnate business and think it’s all good and it’s going to look nice and green and lovely; you’ve got to have some business to make the economy work otherwise we’ll end up as one large retirement village,” he said.

The business community has raised their voices in unity in order to be heard by the council.

The service provides subsidised taxi fares to elderly residents, allowing them to travel between their home and the shops each week.

The scheme was introduced for an initial six month trial in May this year and has since serviced more than 1000 residents.

The scheme is open to disabled residents or those over the age of 60.

Carers or minors of eligible customers are also able to accompany customers but they must hold a Carers or Companion Card.

Councillor Anna Grosskreutz said the program is “fabulous” and is encouraging residents to express their opinion on the scheme in time for the program review.

The program currently runs Monday to Thursday between Noosaville and Glasshouse Mountains.

Plans to extend the service are being considered.

“At the moment it [Council Cabs] does not operate in all areas of the Sunshine Coast” said Councillor Anna Grosskreutz.

“[The] Council has received a large number of suggestions for improvement to the program including extensions into other areas such as Beerburrum,” Councillor Grosskreutz said.

Elderly residents are thrilled with the initiative but have concerns regarding the limitations set on how many shopping bags are allowed per customer.

The taxis carry up to 5 customers per trip and each person is limited to three bags each to prevent overcrowding.

John MacKintosh uses the services often and appreciates the freedom it allows but he believes the bag restrictions are a concern.

“While I think this is a really great program because it allows me to get around easily without having to worry about how much it’s costing me, I think it’s a bit ridiculous to limit the number of shopping bags on the way home,” Mr MacKintosh said.

“This is the only grocery shopping I am able to do all week so I think maybe five bags would be a little more appropriate.”

The review is expected to conclude in December.

Any questions or suggestions can be sent to the Sunshine Coast Regional Council at councilcabs@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

A Sunshine Coast "Council Cab" Photo: Sunshine Coast Regional Council

The seminar, ‘Creation and Evolution: Scientific Evidence, Myths and Challenges’ was to be held at USQ’s Fraser Coast campus in November, where CMI scientists would discuss the theory of creationism and the perceived flaws in the theory of evolution.

USQ’s Aidan Burke said the seminar was arranged as part of the regular community debates held at the Fraser Coast campus.

USQ's Director of Corporate Communications and Public Relations, Dr Aidan Burke. Source: USQ, used with permission.

But when an open letter was sent to USQ staff by the President of the Griffith University Society for Skeptics and Freethinkers, Jayson Cooke, concerns were raised that the discussion would not be balanced or unbiased, and USQ withdrew their involvement.

Mr Cooke said in the letter: “My own concerns are that … USQ appears to be giving implicit endorsement to CMI allowing and encouraging them to distort, misuse and misapply science, to pursue a religious agenda…”

Dr Burke said the advertisements for the seminar may have implied that USQ was endorsing the theory of creationism.

“The flyer that went out was probably giving the impression that we were supporting the creationist approach, and that’s certainly not the case,” Dr Burke said.

He said USQ had attempted to balance the seminar by arranging a debate with the opposing side of the argument.

“There was a lot of activity taking place to try to solicit the scientific side of the argument, but when… it was drawn to the Vice-Chancellor’s attention that the debate wasn’t going to be balanced or impartial we certainly took action quickly to shut down any perceived association or support the university might have had with that particular group,” Dr Burke said.

CMI biologist and seminar speaker, Dr Don Batten. Source: CMI, used with permission.

CMI biologist and a proposed speaker at the seminar, Don Batten, said the event was originally arranged by USQ to give creationists an opportunity to voice an alternative point of view that is often not heard.

He said Mr Cooke’s letter was from an Atheist viewpoint, and had been written to stop an opposing view from being presented.

“Atheists think that universities should be places where Atheism is taught and anything else that contradicts Atheism shouldn’t be allowed … so nobody gets any opportunity to hear anything other than that view,” Dr Batten said.

He said by trying to silence creationists, the Griffith University Society for Skeptics and Freethinkers are not living up to their name.

“It’s rather ironic that the prime instigators for this opposition call themselves ‘freethinkers’, when they actually don’t want people to think freely about these issues at all,” Dr Batten said.

He said the opportunity to present the seminar as a debate with an opposing speaker was never suggested by USQ.

“We’re always open to [debate] but the point is, how often does the university, when they are presenting an Atheistic view, call in a person to present the alternative view? Never, ever. So why should there be somebody there to balance what we’re saying, when 100 per cent of the time there is never any balance to what they’re saying,” he said.

Alternate arrangements for the Creation and Evolution seminar are yet to be announced.

Tourism and Indigenous experts believe Australia needs a better Aboriginal or Indigenous theme to the tourist industry.  

This Indigenous memorial in Cairns is popular with tourists. Source: Jennie Adams

 At the conference later this month, the key topic will be how to provide travellers with an authentic Aboriginal experience. 

 Kym Cheatham, CEO of Ecotourism Australia said the conference will be important to people who want to learn more about Indigenous culture. 

“The conference is to give operators and people involved in Indigenous tourism an opportunity to extend their knowledge,” she said.

“At the same time they can gain experience by talking to others who have experiences in Indigenous tourism.”

Ms Cheatham said more and more there’s a higher demand from international travellers for an authentic Aboriginal culture.

“From an international point of view, Indigenous cultural experiences are incredibly important,” she said.

“It’s important that the experiences are ethical and culturally appropriate.”

Natalie Stoeckl, an associate professor in economics at James Cook University has done surveys on how important Indigenous culture is to travellers.

A randomly chosen group of travellers in Alice Springs was surveyed, with the research showing Indigenous culture is a big factor.

“The visitors might not have come to Uluru, or may have spent less time there, if they didn’t think they were going to experience some Aboriginal culture and heritage,” she said.

Aborginial rock paintings are very popular among tourists. Source: Jennie Adams

Dr Freya Higgins-Desbiolles, a lecturer in tourism at the University of South Australia, agreed Indigenous orientated tourism attracts a lot of international travellers.

“The international community, particularly Europeans, have a very keen interest because Indigenous cultures are quite fascinating for international visitors,” she said.

The domestic market has been the hardest to tap in Australia but Dr Higgins-Desbiolles believes it can be fixed through more Aboriginal orientated holidays.

“One example is Desert Tracks, which takes people out in Central Australia, for a very intensive engagement with the Anangu community,” she said.

“It teaches non-Indigenous people to value and respect Indigenous cultures.”

“I call it reconciliation through tourism.”

The Global Eco Asia Pacific Conference will run from 25-28 of October.