A business peak body is calling for the $60 departure fee charged to people leaving Australia to be redirected toward tourism funding. According to reporting from PerthNow and The West Australian, the group argues the fee—often described as unpopular—could be reframed as part of a longer-term approach to support Australia’s tourism industry.
Both outlets report that the proposal is aimed at changing how the revenue from the departure fee is used, rather than eliminating it. The business group is effectively advocating that funds be allocated to tourism initiatives, though the detailed mechanisms and specific programs are not outlined in the available summaries.
The coverage frames the proposal as part of a broader push for a renewed, longer-term vision for tourism, suggesting the fee could play a role in improving promotion or tourism-related activities. The reports do not indicate whether the proposal has been adopted by government or what timeline is being sought. Overall, the story centers on a call from the business sector to repurpose the departure fee to benefit tourism.
