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 remedial massage skills training project resulted from community consultation and an associated trekker survey undertaken in July 2010 by the Papua New Guinea Kokoda Track Authority. The survey sought views from trekkers on the trekking experience and included questions around additional local business opportunities or products that could be offered to trekkers, including remedial massage.

2.   a. Refer to the answer to question 1.

b. The survey indicated that 97 of 142 people would be interested in remedial massage if it was available along the Kokoda Track.

3.   The Papua New Guinea Kokoda Track Authority was responsible for the procurement process for the remedial massage skills training project. According to the Authority, a Request for Quote process was undertaken and the contract was awarded to a provider who demonstrated the best value for money and had the necessary skills to undertake the training.

4.   a. The Australian Government provided funding to the Papua New Guinea Kokoda Track Authority for Livelihoods activities as part of the Second Joint Understanding 2010-2015 between Papua New Guinea and Australian on the Owen Stanley Ranges, Brown River Catchment and Kokoda Track Region.

b. The Papua New Guinea Kokoda Track Authority advise that the cost of equipment and logistics support for the training was $5,823 AUD.

5.   a. The training service provider undertook the training free of charge.

b. The Papua New Guinea Kokoda Track Authority advise that the key performance indicator for the project was that remedial massage is available in at least four villages along the Kokoda Track by June 2012.

6.   The provider has not been engaged by the Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities on any projects under the Second Joint Understanding. Questions regarding the provider’s involvement in other projects along the Kokoda Track could be directed to AusAID or the Papua New Guinea Kokoda Track Authority.

a) See answer to 6, above.

b) See answer to 6, above.

c) See answer to 6, above.