A new tailored visa for the crews of superyachts will provide a boost to the tourism industry, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said today.
Senator Evans said the new superyacht visa fulfilled a Rudd Government election commitment to create a special visa class to support the growing superyacht industry and assist tourism in areas like Queensland's Great Barrier Reef region.
'The superyacht industry is a growing niche market that is an integral part of Queensland's economic and regional development,' Senator Evans said.
'The new multiple–entry visa will allow all crew members to work in Australia for up to 12 months on commercial or private superyachts.
'Until now, there has not been an appropriate visa to allow the crews to work on a commercially chartered superyacht in Australia and this has restricted the growth in this industry.'
Existing visas including the Maritime Crew Visa and Business Long Stay (457) visas do not appropriately cover superyacht crews staying in Australia.
Senator Evans said the new visa will come into effect in October 2008. In the interim, the department will make temporary arrangements from May 1 so that superyacht crews will be able to use the Business Short Stay (456) visa, which is normally only available for people arriving by air and staying for less than three months.
The Minister said the new visa will allow greater flexibility for superyacht operators to extend their stay in Australian waters.
'We want to make Australia the destination of choice for these 24–metre-plus superyachts and increase their overall economic benefit to the Australian economy,' Senator Evans said.
Currently, the superyacht tourism industry contributes $150 million each year to Australia's economy and is expected to grow to $500 million over the next five years.
The increasing numbers of vessels will also encourage training and job opportunities in related industries such as ship–building and repair, particularly in regional Queensland.
The member for Leichhardt, Jim Turnour, said the new visa would be a significant boost for north Queensland's tourism industry, particularly the Great Barrier Reef region that stretched from Port Douglas down to Gladstone.
'The superyacht visa is something I have campaigned for wholeheartedly and this is a fantastic outcome for Queensland tourism and the thousands of superyacht guests who come to Australia's shores each year,' Mr Turnour said.
We already have the natural beauty and the friendly people, now we're going to ensure eligible crew can come here without any visa confusion.'
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