Dempsey probes illegal backpacker accommodation

Bundaberg MP Jack Dempsey says he will meet the council to look at ways to further crack down on illegal backpacker operators.

The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service says it has received recent reports of houses not complying with fire safety standards and being rented to large groups of backpackers.

Mr Dempsey says it is a problem he is taking seriously.

"The number of complaints I've had as a local Member over the last 12 months has been mainly in relation to private residences in the suburbs and what I'm doing is speaking to council to say, well these don't fit the certain by-laws that allow a certain number of adults to ... live within these residences," he said.

The manager of East Bundaberg Backpackers, Jo Sparkes, says it is taking business away from reputable operators.

"If these people are choosing to stay in an overcrowded share house rather than a legitimate business where we care about the backpackers in general, then quite possibly it's taking away business you work hard to have," she said.

Source: ABC News, 16 May 2013