Queensland Labor’s refusal to act now and fund swimming lessons for kids in the region and across the state is putting our kids at risk, Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett believes.
Mr Bennett said a damning report tabled in Queensland Parliament this month revealed that child drownings more than doubled in a year.
The Queensland Family and Child Commission’s Annual Report, Deaths of Children and Young people Queensland 2016-17 found that 19 children died from downing this year, which is the equal highest number since 2004.
“This Labor government continues to drag its feet on the issue which could cost kids’ lives,” Mr Bennett said.
“We don’t need more reviews which this government seems to favour at every opportunity. We need the government to act immediately and implement compulsory state-funded swim and water safety lessons in our primary schools.
“Time for talk is over – this is a life and death matter.”
Mr Bennett reiterated his full support of the NewsMail’s ‘Save our Schoolkids’ campaign to prevent child drownings.
“Nothing should be more important than the health, safety and wellbeing of our kids.”
Monday, 16 April 2018