"Tourism numbers in country NSW are appalling due to both the drought and more recently, the huge fuel price rises, and as I go around my electorate, shopkeepers are quietly telling me figures are well down," Ms Hodgkinson said.

"I remember when running my small wool shops in Bowral and Yass some years back just how much I relied on visitors' dollars.

"But today, fewer people are travelling and while questions as recently as last week have been asked in State Parliament why this Government favours Sydney in its promotions rather than the country, all we get are smiles across the table."

For the full story, please see Monday's Goulburn Post, available from our front office in Auburn St, or at all leading newsagencies across the Goulburn area.