Victorian taxpayers will pay more than a million dollars to re-locate a marque international resources forum from Melbourne to Sydney.
In a blow to Victoria’s resources sector and local hospitality and tourism operators, for the first time since its establishment in 2014, the International Mining and Resources Conference & Expo (IMARC) will be held outside Victoria.
Despite Sydney poaching this significant international forum, Victorian taxpayers will still pay more than $1 million to re-locate the event, and all its benefits, interstate.
The decision to host IMARC in Sydney follows violent demonstrations outside the Melbourne Convention Centre at the 2019 event, the last event held before the COVID pandemic.
Shadow Minister for Resources, Richard Riordan, said the loss of IMARC was a significant blow to Victoria’s resources sector and broader recovery.
“This is a significant blow to Victoria’s resources sector which continues to be mismanaged and neglected under the Andrews Labor Government.”
“In the middle of a gas crisis hurting Victorian small businesses and households, we’ve lost the world’s largest resources forum to Sydney.”
“Hospitality businesses doing it hard in Melbourne’s CBD will be shocked to think so much of their money is being spent giving Sydney businesses a leg up.”
“Daniel Andrews needs to explain why Victorian taxpayers are paying to host an interstate event.”
