Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) post its 47th Parliament has moved to secure key meetings at a political and bureaucratic level and shape the future.
Even with the normal challenges of new Government and on-boarding of Ministers, Shadow Ministers and staff and re-arrangement of bureaucracies, AFTA has successfully had detailed briefings with 22 Government Ministers and Ministerial Offices, 25 Shadow Ministers and Offices, and 35 departmental contacts. This is on top of their existing strong relationship with Federal Minister for Tourism and Trade, Senator the Don Farrell.
AFTA CEO Dean Long says that AFTA’s commitment to investing in formal political engagement programs and donations on top of the ongoing intense advocacy program had delivered additional access for the benefit of members and the sector. He adds: “The AFTA Board and team continues to work intensely hard behind the scenes to grow awareness and understanding at a political and bureaucratic level of the importance of Australia’s Travel Sector, the economic contribution of our members, and the preferred solutions to the many challenges impacting recovery.”
“AFTA works closely with other key peak industry bodies including the Business Council of Australia and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to make sure that our members’ interests are reflected in their work, but we have also been tremendously proactive in using all the levers available to make sure our needs are heard at a political and bureaucratic level.” “We have been in there from the get go of the COVID international travel ban reinforcing our unique set of circumstances, and have continued to invest in consulting support, working through the formal business engagement processes with the key political parties and using political donations to add weight to AFTA’s activities.”
As disclosed in their Annual Report ain the last financial year alone to 31 March 2022, AFTA donated USD 47,500 to the Labor Party, USD 83,727 to the Liberal Party and USD 44,318 to the National Party in addition to our ongoing investment in the relevant business programs.
