Dob in dodgy hostels

BUNDABERG residents and visitors are being urged to “dob-in” dodgy backpacker hostels to expose unsafe and illegal operations in the region.

Member for Burnett Rob Messenger asked a Question on Notice to the Police Minister concerning budget accommodation after media reports exposed illegal backpacker operations were risking lives through substandard accommodation.

This revealed that in the 10 years since the Childers backpacker hostel fire, there had been almost 130 fires in budget accommodation throughout Queensland resulting in three fatalities and numerous injuries.

Mr Messenger said while the minister must be congratulated for his detailed response, he should be embarrassed by the small fines handed down to operators who had broken the fire safety rules under his government’s Building and Other Legislation Amendment Act.

“As the Minister states in his QON, there have been 31 successful prosecutions with a maximum penalty $1000 for individuals to $5000 for a company,” he said.

“Given that maximum fines, under the legislation for people who are found guilty of not conforming with fire standards are 165 penalty points or $16,500, the Minister needs to explain why for the 31 successful prosecutions, the maximum penalties have only been $1000 for individuals to $5000 for a company.”