The Federal Government could do more to reduce the number of drownings each summer by providing funding for sports and recreational organisations involved in water activities, the Shadow Minister for Sport, Senator Kate Lundy, said today.
In the last 25 years, approximately 2000 Australian children have died from drowning. In the last year alone over 320 Australians drowned and approximately 100 children under five suffered brain damage as a result of preventable water accidents.
Despite this horrific toll, over 70% of Australian children do not receive adequate water safety training.
“The summer season is too often marked by drownings and water related accidents. It’s time the federal government took a more interventionist approach to stop more children drowning by helping fund those organisations who teach, and are involved in, water safety”, Senator Lundy said.
“Water safety and survival is no longer a compulsory component of school curriculums and the demise of essential water skills should be a government priority. According to the Royal Lifesaving Society, the number of school students attaining bronze medallion standard has fallen from around 50,000 in the 1970s to about 12,000 today.
“The Olympic swimming program receives almost $4 million a year from the Government, yet there is no money available for local life saving, lifeguard training or water safety research. The Minister for Sport should be looking to procure additional funding so that more children are taught basic water safety skills”, Senator Lundy said.
Contact: Simon Tatz on 0418 488295
