Opened the debate
Berry argued that the visitor economy is a critical driver of local prosperity in the Southern Highlands, citing the government's THRIVE 2030 strategy which aims to increase visitor expenditure to $230 billion by 2030. Berry noted that total visitor spending reached over $190 billion in 2025, with international arrivals rising to nearly nine million people and international spend hitting a record $39 billion. Berry highlighted that the Southern Highlands is expected to receive close to two million visitors annually, benefiting from its proximity to Sydney, Canberra, and the Illawarra. Berry stressed that regional tourism supports local jobs, encourages investment, and helps retain young people in the community. Berry also pointed out that the new Western Sydney International Airport positions the region well to capture increased arrivals from this transit point.