Scott Morrison, the managing director of Tourism Australia, has lost his $350,000-a-year job after what insiders describe as a bitter falling-out with the federal Tourism Minister, Fran Bailey, according to a report in today’s SMH.
It is believed Mr Morrison’s departure will be formalised at a board meeting in the next week, ending the persistent tension between the tourism boss and Ms Bailey since his appointment in November 2004.
The chairman of Tourism Australia, the former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer, last night confirmed Mr Morrison’s departure but would not comment on the reasons.
Instead he praised Mr Morrison’s performance: “I acknowledge the dedicated contributions Scott Morrison has made to Tourism Australia in particular with the development and launch of the new international marketing campaign ‘So Where the Bloody Hell Are You?’. I have no further comment at this time.”
