❓ This parliamentary question scrutinizes the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions' (DBCA) handling of Park Stay booking refund requests during a recent fuel supply crisis, focusing on the criteria for 'exceptional circumstances' and the financial implications for affected Western Australians.
⏳ Awaiting AnswerQoN 2449Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to reports of Western Australians cancelling recreational travel during the recent fuel supply crisis linked to the Middle East conflict, and I ask
:
(a) How many refund requests were received by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) for cancelled Park Stay bookings citing fuel shortages or fuel security concern:
(i) of these requests, how many were:
(A) approved; and
(B) denied; and
(ii) What criteria were used to determine whether a cancellation constituted “exceptional circumstances beyond a person’s control;
(b) Under the Department's Park Stay cancellation policy, does the Department recognise the March and April 2026 fuel security concerns as exceptional circumstances:
(i) if not, why not;
(c) Was any direction or guidance issued internally to staff regarding refunds associated with the fuel crisis;
(d) if so, will the Minister table any such guidance or correspondence;
(e) Does the Minister accept that some Western Australian's cancelled travel plans in good faith to conserve fuel supplies following public statements from both the State and Federal Governments encouraging Australian's to reduce non-essential fuel use during the recent fuel shortage;
(f) Does the Minister believe those people should be financially penalised for following that advice;
(g) Will the Minister consider refunding cancellation fees for affected bookings;
(h) For campsite cancellations at DBCA managed campgrounds during March and April 2026, how much revenue was collected through cancellation fees during this period:
(i) of that amount, how much related to cancellations citing fuel shortages or fuel security concerns; and
(ii) has the Minister sought advice on waiving or refunding these fees given the exceptional circumstances at the time; and
(i) How many formal complaints were received by DBCA regarding the refusal to issue refunds for cancelled campsite bookings during the fuel crisis:
(i) of those, how many remain unresolved;
(ii) did the Minister or the Minister's office receive briefings on these complaints; and
(iii) will the Minister review the current refund policy to provide greater discretion during emergencies or supply crises?
Answered on
:
(a) How many refund requests were received by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) for cancelled Park Stay bookings citing fuel shortages or fuel security concern:
(i) of these requests, how many were:
(A) approved; and
(B) denied; and
(ii) What criteria were used to determine whether a cancellation constituted “exceptional circumstances beyond a person’s control;
(b) Under the Department's Park Stay cancellation policy, does the Department recognise the March and April 2026 fuel security concerns as exceptional circumstances:
(i) if not, why not;
(c) Was any direction or guidance issued internally to staff regarding refunds associated with the fuel crisis;
(d) if so, will the Minister table any such guidance or correspondence;
(e) Does the Minister accept that some Western Australian's cancelled travel plans in good faith to conserve fuel supplies following public statements from both the State and Federal Governments encouraging Australian's to reduce non-essential fuel use during the recent fuel shortage;
(f) Does the Minister believe those people should be financially penalised for following that advice;
(g) Will the Minister consider refunding cancellation fees for affected bookings;
(h) For campsite cancellations at DBCA managed campgrounds during March and April 2026, how much revenue was collected through cancellation fees during this period:
(i) of that amount, how much related to cancellations citing fuel shortages or fuel security concerns; and
(ii) has the Minister sought advice on waiving or refunding these fees given the exceptional circumstances at the time; and
(i) How many formal complaints were received by DBCA regarding the refusal to issue refunds for cancelled campsite bookings during the fuel crisis:
(i) of those, how many remain unresolved;
(ii) did the Minister or the Minister's office receive briefings on these complaints; and
(iii) will the Minister review the current refund policy to provide greater discretion during emergencies or supply crises?
Answered on
AnswerView source ↗
⏳
This question is awaiting a response from the Minister.
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