"You need not squirm amid rats, bed bugs and dope-smoking backpackers and call it a holiday ever again.
The federal Minister for Tourism, Joe Hockey, launched a star ratings system last night to sort out Australia's burgeoning backpacker industry."
Personally, I think this is a good idea. The cost to the hostel owner (A$100) is not prohibitive and anything that gives the backpackers more information about what they can expect from the hostel is a good thing.
What do you reckon?