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, upon notice, on 28 June 2012:

With reference to the Kokoda Initiative Annual Report 2010-2011, in particular the goal to achieve ‘Enhanced quality of life for landowners and communities through improved delivery of basic services, income generation and community development activities’:

1. Did the Papua New Guinea Kokoda Track Authority (PNG KTA) consult with the Papua New Guinean Department of Community Development, Religion and Sports in relation to community development projects along the Kokoda Trail between 2009 and 2012; if so, with what outcomes.

2. What activities have been initiated in regard to ‘income generation’ in local villages along the Kokoda Trail, and how much income has been generated as a result of these activities.

3. What community development projects have been initiated along the Kokoda Trail.

4. Has the Papua New Guinean Department of Community Development, Religion and Sports been involved in the initiatives.

5. What amount of money has been spent on each initiative.

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. Information on any consultation undertaken by the Kokoda Track Authority, a Special Purposes Authority of the Kokoda and Koiari Local-level Governments, in relation to community development projects is held by the Authority.

2. The Australian Government has provided funding under the Kokoda Initiative for the Sustainable Livelihoods Program, which is delivered through the Kokoda Track Authority, Statistics on how much income has been generated have not been collected at this time, however the program will be reviewed in 2013.

3. Australian Government funding was provided under the Kokoda Initiative to deliver the Kokoda Development Program administered by AusAID, and questions on this issue should be referred to AusAID.

4. Questions relating to the Kokoda Development Program should be referred to AusAID.

5. Questions relating to the Kokoda Development Program should be referred to AusAID.