**Check against delivery
Thank you Robyn.
Good morning ladies and gentlemen.
It is a pleasure to be here today with my fellow Minister, Peter Garrett, to announce the latest addition to the National Landscapes Program, the Green Cauldron.
The National Landscapes Program aims to identify and promote Australia's iconic landscapes.
The list of National Landscapes currently includes:
- The Australian Alps;
- Australia's Red Centre;
- The Flinders Ranges;
- The Greater Blue Mountains;
- Australia's Coastal Wilderness;
- The Great Ocean Road; and
- Kakadu.
More are expected to come on-line in the future.
As you can see the Green Cauldron is in prestigious company and now joins the ranks of Australia's premier natural attractions.
And why not?
This land has long been treasured by its traditional owners, the Bundalung [Bun-juh-lung] and Githabul [Gith-uh-bull] people.
This special area has long provided a plentiful supply of food, medicine, and materials, and it remains a sacred site.
In the years since European settlement, botanists, geologists and ecologists have explored the area, which is widely recognised for its biodiversity.
This region's World Heritage Listing in 1986 - for its outstanding natural and cultural heritage values - underscores its significance.
The Green Cauldron is worthy of its new status as one of Australia's great natural assets - and one which the Australian Government is now working to share with the world.
The National Landscapes Program was developed in partnership between Tourism Australia and Parks Australia.
This collaboration ensures products and experiences in each of our iconic National Landscapes are developed in an environmentally sustainable manner and promoted to the world.
To achieve National Landscape status these sites are subject to an intensive audit.
The Green Cauldron has therefore earned the right to be marketed one of Australia's iconic natural assets.
The National Landscapes program will help prepare these sites to target an increasingly lucrative type of traveller: the experience seeker.
Tourism Australia has already recognised the growing value that experience seekers add to the Australian tourism industry and targeted a number of initiatives to capitalise on this essential market.
Experience seekers want to get off the beaten track and really experience Australia.
They spend more and stay longer.
And why wouldn't they want to visit this region?
Visitors can drive the rainforest way and experience the region's national parks;
They can experience the classic Aussie surf culture at Byron Bay or witness the migration of Humpback Whales.
The National Landscapes Program is important because it promotes Australia's unique tourism experiences.
It encourages tourists to visit regions and experience the uniquely-Australian tourism products on offer.
I would like to encourage Australians to take note of the areas being promoted.
Australians have always possessed an enthusiasm to see the world - but in doing so - we have sometimes neglected the wonders in our own backyard.
Which is a shame - as there is a lot to see here, particularly when you know where to look.
National Landscapes will make this easier - and more rewarding.
The National Landscapes are the attractions that make Australia unique, where visitors can experience something unavailable anywhere else in the world.
I congratulate the steering committee for the Green Cauldron.
I also congratulate Park Australia and the State Governments around Australia for their commitment and cooperation in this venture.
It is a very significant achievement for all parties involved and I thank you all for coming today to celebrate.