A Minns Labor Government plan to increase the cost of camping in NSW National Parks could leave the great outdoors beyond the reach of families in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.

Shadow Minister for Tourism Kevin Anderson said visiting one of the state’s 365 National Parks campgrounds has always been an affordable way to holiday.

“Camping has always been a great Australian pastime, with generations of families enjoying some time away from the rat-race in the peace and tranquillity of regional NSW,” Mr Anderson said.

“People love camping because they can take a weekend away without breaking the bank, which is why it’s becoming more and more popular, especially when household budgets are tight.

“Labor now wants to take that option away from families by hiking fees on campgrounds, meaning the cost of camping could blow out to over $600 a week in a National Park.”

When asked about the increase in Question Time today, Minister for Tourism Steve Kamper refused to acknowledge the issue claiming the government had ‘nothing more to say’.

“This is an outrageous money grab from the Minns Labor Government and it will place some of our state’s most treasured natural assets behind a paywall,” Mr Anderson said.

“National parks aren’t just important nature reserves, there are now more than 50 million visits to national parks every year, including 1.8 million overnight campground stays.

“Tourism is the lifeblood of our regional communities and Labor’s plan will mean visitors have less money to spend in our local towns, cafés, pubs, clubs, and businesses.

“Instead of restricting access to our National Parks, the Government should be supporting tourism by building more campgrounds and making them more accessible so people can enjoy the great outdoors.”

A Minns Labor Government plan to increase the cost of camping in NSW National Parks could leave the great outdoors beyond the reach of families in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.

Shadow Minister for Tourism Kevin Anderson said visiting one of the state’s 365 National Parks campgrounds has always been an affordable way to holiday.

“Camping has always been a great Australian pastime, with generations of families enjoying some time away from the rat-race in the peace and tranquillity of regional NSW,” Mr Anderson said.

“People love camping because they can take a weekend away without breaking the bank, which is why it’s becoming more and more popular, especially when household budgets are tight.

“Labor now wants to take that option away from families by hiking fees on campgrounds, meaning the cost of camping could blow out to over $600 a week in a National Park.”

When asked about the increase in Question Time today, Minister for Tourism Steve Kamper refused to acknowledge the issue claiming the government had ‘nothing more to say’.

“This is an outrageous money grab from the Minns Labor Government and it will place some of our state’s most treasured natural assets behind a paywall,” Mr Anderson said.

“National parks aren’t just important nature reserves, there are now more than 50 million visits to national parks every year, including 1.8 million overnight campground stays.

“Tourism is the lifeblood of our regional communities and Labor’s plan will mean visitors have less money to spend in our local towns, cafés, pubs, clubs, and businesses.

“Instead of restricting access to our National Parks, the Government should be supporting tourism by building more campgrounds and making them more accessible so people can enjoy the great outdoors.”