The State Government will fund swimming lessons for young children after Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett highlighted serious flaws with the FairPlay Voucher system in Parliament.
Children aged four and under will be given $150 SwimSafe vouchers to learn to swim following a Question on Notice from Mr Bennett.
The question was tabled on May 10 and stated:
With reference to the importance of water safety in Queensland— Will the Minister consider increasing access to FairPlay Vouchers to include operators who provide swimming lessons and are currently excluded from the program?
Mr Bennett said while it’s a step in the right direction there’s still a lot of work to be done to ensure every child learns to swim.
“Here in the Burnett we are surrounded by water so it goes without saying that learning to swim is a must,” he said.
“In just 12 months there were 84 drowning deaths in Queensland, that’s a 27 per cent increase on the 10-year average. *
“While I thank Minister Hinchliffe for heading our calls for action, I must highlight that the new SwimSafe vouchers are far from perfect.
“They exclude a huge majority of our population as they’re only available for families on concession and healthcare cards.
“Cost of living pressures are hitting families hard across Bundaberg and the Burnett, some parents simply can’t afford swimming lessons.
“Their children will be left behind under this new program.
“Why should these kids miss out just because their parents have a mortgage to pay?
“Learning to swim needs to be all-inclusive, it shouldn’t be dictated by a family’s income.”
Whitakers Swim School instructor Shelley Whitaker said there are a lot of red flags and very little information.
“This is a first in first served program with only 30,000 vouchers on offer,”
“If the State Government is serious about reducing drownings, every child in Queensland needs to learn to swim, especially under four-year-olds.
“But if a 10-year-old can’t swim, they too should be able to access a voucher.
“It also feels like another kick in the teeth for middle income earners.
“These families pay top dollar for everything; they’re paying the most tax but they’re never given a break.
“The vouchers need to be accessible to all.”
Ms Whitaker said swim schools are still in the dark.
“Currently redemption of Fair Play vouchers is only open to not-for-profit organisations,” she said.
“So how will swim school businesses redeem these vouchers if it’s based on this same program?
“It needs to be a simple streamline process to ensure businesses are not out of pocket and children don’t miss out.”
ENDS.
31/05/2023