'Deeply concerned': Premier urges Donald Trump to reconsider Aussie travel warning
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is urging US President Donald Trump to revise US travel warnings for Australia.
The US State Department last week put out a new warning for Americans to consider postponing their travel to Australia as disastrous bushfires ravage the country.
But the premier has passionately pleaded with the US leader to reconsider the warning, which could be damaging to the tourism industry at a delicate time.
"The last thing we need is for international tourists to think that the entire country of Australia is not safe to visit," Ms Palaszczuk, who is “deeply concerned” according to The Courier-Mail, wrote on Friday.
"We have large parts of our beautiful country that are not affected and would love to welcome American tourists here.
"I urge you to change the travel advice for American tourists looking to visit Australia."
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians says Australians are facing an unprecedented public health crisis because of of the long-term exposure to smoke.
The lasting impact on people's health is unknown, but doctors are seeing more patients presenting with respiratory issues, RACP president and respiratory physician John Wilson said in a statement on Saturday.
"Long-term health impacts may be felt not just by those on the frontline being directly impacted by the bushfires, but also those in metropolitan areas," Professor Wilson added.
Many of Queensland and Australia's hardest-hit bushfire areas are regions where the tourism industry dominates.
However, Ms Palaszczuk pointed to her home state, where fires that have raged in recent months are not currently threatening.
"Queensland has more than 4000 miles of beautiful coastline, tropical islands and, of course, the Great Barrier Reef," she wrote.
More than a million tourists travelled to the Queensland outback last year and their visits will be crucial to support the nation's economy when the fires ease.
"The rebuilding effort will be extensive as will the economic recovery for our whole country," Ms Palaszczuk added.
"One of the industries that will be crucial to help rebuild our economy is tourism."
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