Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs) Share this | Link to 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.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to 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.