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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-11-27 Daily Xml
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VACSWIM

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (15:03): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Correctional Services, representing the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, a question in relation to the Vacswim program.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: For over 20 years Vacswim has been using the Royal Life Saving Society's Swim and Survive program to teach the children of South Australia the importance of water safety as well as essential skills to survive in emergency situations. The Swim and Survive program is used by all other states in Australia. It is internationally recognised as an exemplary water safety education program and was developed and run by the Royal Life Saving Society.

The program comprises seven levels which students must complete in succession. It aims to develop swimming technique, water safety, water confidence, survival and endurance. Swim and Survive aims to reduce the number of Australians drowned by increasing their awareness in and around water. Given the tragic news of yet another drowning in a residential pool on Monday, I am sure that all members recognise the importance of water safety.

Recently, the state government replaced the Swim and Survive program with another program. The RLSS has raised serious concerns in regard to this new program as it believes that it is not only inadequate in teaching water safety education but also teaches students practices that are potentially dangerous. The Royal Life Saving Society is the peak water safety body in Australia and was not consulted in developing this new program.

When questioned by the Royal Life Saving Society representatives about the departure from the Swim and Survive program, the Office for Recreation and Sport reported that it was due to negative community feedback about the Swim and Survive program, and to save on costs. Given that the program has a 98 per cent satisfaction rate and was provided free of charge to Vacswim, my questions to the minister are:

1. Why has the successful Royal Life Saving Society Swim and Survive program been abandoned?

2. Who was responsible for writing the new program?

3. Was the Royal Life Saving Society not consulted on the new program and, if not, why not?

4. What research or consultation had the department conducted into the efficacy or otherwise of the new program prior to its implementation?

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Gambling, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (15:05): I thank the honourable member for his questions in relation to the Vacswim program and the Royal Life Saving Society. I will ensure that the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing in the other place considers the questions the honourable member has asked and bring back a response.

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