Senator MICHAEL BAUME --Is it appropriate to raise the issue of the study in May 1994 by the Dwyer Consultancy Services on limitations in the use of economic instruments to foster ecologically sustainable tourism development? Or should that be under subprogram 1.4?

Ms Williams --That did fit under subprogram 1.2, the one that we have just been talking about.

Senator MICHAEL BAUME --The Dwyer Consultancy Services study on limitations in the use of economic instruments to foster ecologically sustainable tourism development considered, inter alia, the effects of a range of tax measures including accommodation taxes. What was the study's conclusions on the viability and effects of introducing such accommodation taxes?

Senator Faulkner --It appears that we do not have an officer here who is able to answer that at this stage. We will have to take that on notice.

Senator MICHAEL BAUME --Does anyone know whether there was following correspondence on these findings from within the department or with bodies or officers outside the department? I guess that would be the same result.

Ms Williams --We think the answer is no but, if you do not mind, we will take it on notice and check.

Senator MICHAEL BAUME --Senator Parer wonders whether he can have a copy of the correspondence.

Senator Faulkner --He certainly cannot if there are not any, Senator.

Senator MICHAEL BAUME --What about a copy of the report?

Senator Faulkner --It appears that we cannot confirm whether there has been any correspondence. We will check that, and I think officers will need to check the confidentiality of the report. I think we have established that the status of this report is that it has not been publicly released, so we will have to come back to you on that.

Senator MICHAEL BAUME --Thank you.

CHAIR --I have a question which concerns backpacking, which I understand is an increasing part of the tourism trade in this country. What is the department or government doing to facilitate the backpacker element of the market for tourism?

Ms Harrison --We have started a four-year program and this is the second year of it. The government has committed nearly $4 million to it for the four years. We have established a consultative group with the industry to identify how best to develop this sector. They have told us that one of the highest priorities is international marketing, so a large proportion of the funding so far has gone into international marketing through the ATC.

We are also addressing the issue of standards in accommodation with the AAA organisation by setting up a categorisation system--like systems for motels, hotels and backpacker establishments. Users will have a guide to the quality of the accommodation that they are about to have. We are also trying to build up the database, using the BTR to give us a better understanding of backpackers, what they do and where they go and those sorts of things, which will help the industry work out where it should be putting its energy.

Senator MICHAEL BAUME --Last November Senator Parer asked who, under the national ecotourism strategy, would be used for the tour operator training program and whether these people would be accredited by the department in some way. The response ended up saying, among other things, that the department was currently receiving comments on a consultant's summary report on behalf of the industry. Is that the present situation or has it changed at all since that answer was given?

Ms Parsons --The status of the report at the moment is that it is still out for public comment. The time allowed for public comments in fact was extended from the end of January because of the holiday period until 24 February. So we have not actually got any comments in from the industry as a whole. I think there have been a couple of isolated comments, but we have not collated them or done anything with them yet.

Senator IAN MACDONALD --Ms Harrison, did you say the department was preparing a guide for backpackers?

Ms Harrison --I was probably referring to the work the AAA, the Australian Automobile Association, is doing on the accreditation of backpacker hostels. It will produce a catalogue.

Senator IAN MACDONALD --So it is not a departmental thing?

Ms Harrison --It is being funded through this program and we are a part of the steering committee for it, but the AAA is actually implementing it and doing the assessments of the establishments, just as it does for hotels, motels and so on.

Senator IAN MACDONALD --Is that the sort of thing that would be tabled in parliament or available to parliamentarians?

Ms Harrison --We can certainly make it available to you.

Senator IAN MACDONALD --It would be readily available around various places?

Ms Harrison --It certainly needs to be to achieve its objective.

Senator IAN MACDONALD --Do you know when that is out?

Ms Harrison --It is looking like the first edition will be out probably mid-year.