Essential water safety skills, such as learn to swim classes, will be slugged twice when the GST is introduced, Shadow Minister for Sport, Senator Kate Lundy, said today.
“The GST will be applied to both the cost of entry into public swimming pools and the cost of learn-to-swim classes,” Senator Lundy said.
“Imposing the double-whammy of two GST charges on water safety classes means that many Australian families will be unable to afford learn to swim lessons for their children.
“It is essential that our children learn proper water safety skills.
“Drownings are one of the main causes of death of Australian children and for every child that drowns, at least 10 more are treated in hospital for serious injuries.
According to a recent report by the Royal Life Saving Society, 2673 Australians drowned in the five year period 1992-97. Tragically, this includes 353 children under five years of age.
“Learning how to survive in the water should be a right, not a privilege.
“The GST will raise the financial barrier that much higher. Lower income and larger families will face increased charges every time they want to go the local swimming pool and every time their child needs to learn to swim and survive in water.
“Acting Sports Minister Joe Hockey should remove the GST on learn to swim and basic water safety classes as these are essential to addressing the tragic number of children and young Australians who die in water-related accidents each year,” Senator Lundy said.
Contact: Simon Tatz on 0418 488295 or 02-62773334
