Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has provided the following answer to the honourable senator’s question:

1)   The Australian Government does not collect statistics on Kokoda Track trek permits. The administration of trek permits is the responsibility of the Papua New Guinean Kokoda Track Authority, a Special Purposes Authority of the Kokoda and Koiari Local-level Governments. The Kokoda Track Authority is established under the relevant Papua New Guinea legislation and is not responsible to the Australian Government. The question should be directed to the Papua New Guinea Government.

2)   The Kokoda Tour Operators’ forums are run by the Kokoda Track Authority. The Kokoda Track Authority is a Special Purposes Authority of the Kaori and Kokoda Local Level Governments, established under the relevant Papua New Guinea legislation. The Kokoda Track Authority is not responsible to the Australian Government. The question should be directed to the Papua New Guinea Government.

a) See answer to Question 2.

b) See answer to Question 2.

c) See answer to Question 2.

d) See answer to Question 2.

1.   3)   The Australian Government is unaware of any draft legislation on this matter.

4)   See answer to Question 3.

5)   The Kokoda Track Code of Conduct was developed by the Kokoda Track Authority and is a voluntary measure set in place to encourage low-impact, culturally sensitive and environmentally friendly travel whilst on the Kokoda Track. The Code of Conduct is monitored by the Kokoda Track Authority.

6)   The Australian Government does not collect these statistics. The administration of Commercial Operations Licences for operating tourism related businesses within the Kokoda Track Corridor and collection of licence statistics is the responsibility of the Kokoda Track Authority.

7)   Yes. The Kokoda Track Authority’s Commercial Operations Licence conditions include the requirement for trek operators to maintain a policy of public liability insurance at all times during the period the licence is held.

8)   The Australian Government does not collect these statistics. The administration of Commercial Operations Licences for operating tourism related businesses within the Kokoda Track Corridor and collection of licence statistics is the responsibility of the Kokoda Track Authority.

9)   The Australian Government does not collect these statistics. The administration of Commercial Operations Licences for operating tourism related businesses within the Kokoda Track Corridor and enforcement of licence conditions is the responsibility of the Kokoda Track Authority.

10)   Yes.

(a) $41,849.50 AUD.

(b) The Trekker Activity and Operator Safety maps were developed using GPS data collected by the consultant during two visits to the Track and GPS and other spatial data provided by the Kokoda Track Authority and other PNG Government Departments. The accuracy of the maps is being verified by the Kokoda Track Authority.

11)   The accuracy of the maps is being validated by the Kokoda Track Authority. The Authority has advised that some minor errors have been noted.

12)   The maps are distributed by the Kokoda Track Authority to tour companies for their use and distribution to trekkers for comments and feedback. The Authority has distributed approximately 150 trekker activity maps and 120 operator safety maps to date.

13)    $41,849.50 AUD.