Matt Thistlethwaite (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Financial Services) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House:

(1) notes:

(a) that 1 December 2020 is National Water Safety Day where we highlight the importance of staying safe and acting responsibly around water;

(b) that from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020 some 248 people lost their lives to drowning across Australia;

(c) that Royal Lifesaving estimates in its annual drowning report that an additional 504 people experienced a non-fatal drowning incident;

(d) the drowning report indicates the total number of drowning deaths over the past year decreased by 8 per cent on the previous year;

(e) people aged 25 to 34 years accounted for 17 per cent of the total number of drowning deaths, the most of any age group; and

(f) despite still being the leading location for drowning, deaths in rivers and creeks decreased by 32 per cent, compared with the 10-year average;

(2) acknowledges:

(a) drowning and accidents in the water can be avoided if people act responsibly and follow the basic water safety rules:

  (i) always swim between the red and yellow flags at the beach and obey the instructions of lifesavers;

  (ii) alcohol and swimming or boating don't mix;

  (iii) don't swim at unpatrolled beaches;

  (iv) don't swim alone; and

  (v) never take your eye off children around water; and

(b) that too many avoidable drownings occur when rock fishing and rock fishers should:

  (i) stay alert to the weather conditions;

  (ii) learn how to swim;

  (iii) choose the safest possible location;

  (iv) wear the right gear;

  (v) never fish alone; and

  (vi) always wear a lifejacket; and

(3) encourages:

(a) all Australians to learn how to swim from a qualified instructor before they enter the water on their own; and

(b) people who use our waterways regularly to take the opportunity to learn rescue techniques and resuscitation from organisations like Surf Life Saving Australia by joining your local surf club.

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