Finniss MP David Basham has welcomed the state government’s Algal Bloom Tourism to encourage spending, but says they don’t help all the suffering coastal communities that need it.  

“They have been a proven way of encouraging an extra $5 economy boost for each $1 of the vouchers,” Mr Basham says.

“I am pleased the government is finally listening to common sense, but they still cannot get it right.”

Mr Basham says he called for the voucher scheme a month ago and after the government released the criteria, he voiced his disappointment, especially around the accommodation sector criteria, and due to pressure, the guidelines have changed.

“This means the criteria for accommodation changed overnight, and so people who thought they were not eligible yesterday might actually be eligible if they check again.” 

He notes that only certain postcodes in his Finniss electorate are eligible to apply for the voucher list. “Milang and Clayton Bay have been left out — even though they, too, were hit hard by the freshwater algal bloom two years in a row.”

Mr Basham says it is extremely disappointing that people would not be finding out if they have received a voucher until two days before the school holidays.

“People are likely to hold off booking for the school holidays till the last minute to see if they get a voucher, so sadly our businesses will not know if they will be busy or not until the holidays hit. 

“It makes it difficult to organise staff and know what stock you need to service customers. If the government had acted a month ago when the voucher idea was first raised – this would not be a problem.”

Mr Basham says it’s critical for businesses to register to be eligible to receive the vouchers. “Word needs to get around quickly to the affected communities because the business registrations need to be fully completed by 5pm this Friday 29 August.”

He says any business wanting to apply to be part of the Tourism Voucher scheme will also need to have an active profile on the ATDW (Australian Tourism Data Warehouse), by Friday.

“I will be continuing to advocate for my electorate to make sure all affected businesses receive assistance and can benefit during this stressful time.”

The eligible postcodes in the Finniss electorate are 5211, 5212, 5213 and 5214; they also apply to Kangaroo Island.