Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, in writing, on 28 June 2012:

With reference to the Kokoda Trail and trek operators:

(1) How many trek permits to walk the Kokoda Trail have been issued since 2008.

(2) Can a list be provided detailing the number of trek operators’ forums held between 2009 and 2012, including for each forum: (a) how many operators attended; (b) the cost incurred to hold the forum; (c) how many Papua New Guinea Kokoda Track Authority (PNG KTA) personnel attended; and (d) the cost per PNG KTA personnel to attend.

(3) Was any draft legislation prepared to support the Code of Conduct, developed by PNG KTA in 2009, for Kokoda trek operators.

(4) What action has been taken to implement legislation to support the Code of Conduct.

(5) What management protocols have been promulgated to ensure trek operators abide by the Code of Conduct.

(6) How many trek operators have been licensed by the PNG KTA, detailed per year between 2009 and 2012.

(7) Is it a requirement for all Kokoda trek operators to have a current public liability insurance policy as a condition of obtaining a trek operator’s licence; if not, why not.

(8) How many licensed trek operators hold valid public liability insurance.

(9) Have any Australians trekked with a licensed operator who does not have public liability insurance; if so, how many.

(10) Was an expert consultant engaged to develop a Trekker Activity and Operator Safety map ‘to assist trekkers in preparation for and throughout their trek’; if so: (a) what amount was paid to the consultant for the project; and (b) how many mapping expeditions did the consultant complete in order to verify the accuracy of the map.

(11) Has the accuracy of the map been validated.

(12) How is the map distributed to trekkers and how many have been distributed.

(13) What was the total cost of the mapping project.