Daniel Andrews loses major event to Queensland

Shadow Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Heidi Victoria

Background information:

The Queensland Government has today announced that it had taken the prestigious IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship from Melbourne.

Queensland Minister for Tourism and Major Events Kate Jones today issued a statement in which she revealed that:

“Queensland has confirmed its status as Asia-Pacific’s home of triathlon by capturing one of the world’s most prestigious IRONMAN events from Melbourne.”

Melbourne has hosted the event since 2012.  The event has been held around Melbourne’s southern suburbs including Frankston.

The 2016 event in Melbourne was recently cancelled after a clash in dates with the Grand Prix, indicating the Andrews Government was unable to hold two major events at once.
Sources – statement here; and related Herald Sun article here.

What Daniel Andrews said:

“If we lose our edge, we lose tourists, and, eventually, we lose jobs.”
Source:  ‘Review to keep Victoria the major events capital’, 10 March 2015 here

“I issue this warning to every other state: if you have a major event worthy taking, we’re coming for it.”
Source:  The Age, 17 June 2015

Comments from the Shadow Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Heidi Victoria:

“The loss of this major event from Melbourne will cost Victorian jobs from the hospitality and tourism sectors.

“After all of Daniel Andrews’ tough talk about attracting new events to Melbourne, we now have a major event stolen from right under his nose.

“The loss of the IRONMAN Asia Pacific Championship to Queensland shows that Daniel Andrews’ promises to lure new events and new jobs to Victoria are just hollow, empty words.”

Media contact: John Deller           0400 496 596    john.deller@opposition.vic.gov.au