Bartlett intervenes to secure conference
Posted
The Premier David Bartlett has intervened to allow an international conference access to the Princes Wharf Number-One shed.
The organiser of the lucrative Ausfish event has spent most of the year trying to secure the site and bring more than 600 people to Hobart's waterfront.
Brian Glanville says he's been trying to get the OK from the State Government for months.
In the end all he had to do was go public, with the help of the State Opposition.
Mr Glanville's plight was news to the Premier.
"I would be happy to guarantee them access to Prince Wharf number one if that's the requirement they have," he said.
But there's a catch, the offer is for 2009 not 2010 when the event's scheduled.
The Premier's intervention has pleased the Tourism Industry Council's Daniel Hanna.
"Now is a time that we need to be giving a message to everyone that we are open for business," Mr Hanna said.
He says conference delegates are good for the economy.
"They spend well when they're here and they also tour pre and post their conference," he said.
He says this is even more important in the tough economic times.
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