Coalition Plan to Reduce Drownings
26/01/12
A Coalition Government will commit an additional $10 million to assist surf life saving clubs across Australia purchase much needed equipment and will extend the Beach Drowning Black Spot Reduction Programme.
Across Australia 315 people lost their lives through drowning on our beaches and waterways, in homes and through floods in 2010/11.
Today’s $10 million commitment represents the first stage of the Coalition’s Plan to Reduce Drownings. We will make further announcements regarding our plans to reduce drownings in our rivers and waterways and in households over the coming year.
Australians are a water-loving people and the Coalition recognises that investing in beach safety can save lives, as well as reduce injuries and incapacitations.
Australian beaches receive an estimated 100 million visits annually with 80 per cent of all Australians visiting the beach at some point every year. Water activities such as swimming and surfing also play an important role in assisting many Australians enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle.
An estimated 158,000 volunteers patrol our beaches each year and their great work ensures that swimmers can enjoy the beaches safely.
The work of organisations like Surf Life Saving Australia, the Royal Life Saving Society and AUSTSWIM ensures that all Australians have access to world class water safety programs.
The drowning statistics fail to reflect the significance of the thousands of lives saved each year through the work undertaken by our surf clubs. Our lifesavers prevent the terrible pain of losing a family member for countless families every year.
This funding package will provide Australian surf clubs with an additional $1.6 million per year for five years, providing on average $5,000 per year to each of the nation’s 310 surf clubs. This funding would be directed towards the purchase of vital rescue equipment, first aid and medical supplies.
A Coalition Government would work with Surf Life Saving Australia to ensure that priority is given to surf clubs with identified equipment deficiencies.
The Beach Drowning Black Spot Reduction Programme uses targeted infrastructure, additional resources and services to tackle the incidence of drowning in identified high risk areas of projected population increase. A Coalition Government will provide an additional $400,000 per year to this existing programme.
The $10 million commitment over five years represents new additional funding for surf life saving across Australia.
Representatives of the Coalition will meet with Surf Life Saving Australia in February to discuss other ways we can encourage water safety across Australia and reduce government compliance costs and red tape across this important national institution.
The Coalition is aware of the real concerns of Surf Life Saving Australia, Royal Life Saving Society Australia and AUSTSWIM in relation to the failure of the Government to provide certainty on funding for the National Recreation Safety Program and the Saving Lives in the Water agreements. The Coalition calls on the Gillard Government to provide Australia’s national water safety organisations with the certainty they need to continue their important life saving functions.