A Coalition government will work with local lifesaving clubs, the Royal Life Saving Society and AUSTSWIM to reduce the number of drownings across Australia.
This announcement is particularly important to the Flinders electorate, which is surrounded by water. Every family living in the electorate is no more than a few kilometres from the coast.
The beach plays a huge part in community life across the Mornington Peninsula, Western Port, Bass Coast and Phillip Island and it is vital that local lifesaving clubs get the resources they need to keep families safe.
Our policy funds the experts whose work saves lives every day: Australia’s surf lifesaving clubs, the Royal Life Saving Society and AUSTSWIM.
Our plan will provide local lifesaving clubs with average grants of $25,000 over five years to assist them purchase much-needed equipment, first aid and medical supplies.
A typical surf club spends $3000 a year on medical supplies like lotions, band-aids and bandages, so these grants will help the clubs make ends meet.
Lifesaving clubs across the electorate would be eligible to apply including Mt Martha, Dromana Bay, Rosebud & McRae, Sorrento, Portsea, Gunnamatta, Point Leo and Woolamai Beach.
We will also provide $2 million to expand the successful Beach Drowning Black Spot Reduction programme.
As currents can be as dangerous as rips, our policy also works with the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia to identify ways of improving water safety on our inland waterways. This includes targeting alcohol consumption, the safe use of watercraft as well as providing practical training on things like water safety and CPR.
This is a practical policy that will, over time, save many families from heartache. Australians love the water, but sadly five people every week lose their life to drowning. Most drownings are in some way avoidable. That is why we must invest in prevention.
The Coalition’s $15 million commitment is part of our Real Solutions Plan to build a stronger Australia and a better future – for all Australians.
Download the related file: 08-12 Coalition’s Plan to Reduce Drownings.pdf