Media Release

Peter Gutwein MP
Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation

Monday 25th January 2010

Take care on Australia Day

With fine weather forecast for tomorrow’s Australia Day public holiday many Tasmanians will head to the beach.

While it’s a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy the day, we also need to remember to stay safe.

Between 1 July 2008 and 30 June 2009, 302 people drowned in Australia with 13 people tragically losing their lives in Tasmania. Our drowning rate is far too high, with Tasmania having just 2.3% of the Australian population, yet recording 4.3% of all drownings.

As over one third of all Australian drownings happened at the beach or in the ocean I would urge all Tasmanians heading out for a swim tomorrow to take care and look for beaches with a surf lifesaving presence.

The Tasmanian Liberals are proud to support Tasmanian Surf Lifesaving and are committed to providing $2.275 million in additional funding if elected.

We really do need to make sure we reduce our drowning rate and that means everyone has a role to play – the community, surf lifesaving and the Government.