NSW: Carr to consider laws to protect lifesavers

AAP General News (Australia)
12-15-1998
NSW: Carr to consider laws to protect lifesavers

SYDNEY, Dec 15 AAP - New South Wales Premier Bob Carr today said he would consider
introducing laws to protect lifesavers from litigation in cases where people drowned on
unpatrolled beaches with warning signs.

Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) spokesman Steve Leahy earlier today said drownings at
unpatrolled beaches with warning signs could bring court action if local councils failed to
introduce appropriate safety measures.

Mr Carr said he believed laws protecting lifesavers were a reasonable proposition when
asked by reporters if he would consider them.

He denied a government water safety campaign had been introduced too late in the swimming
season, saying the program was launched today on the advice of experts.

The NSW government launched a $1 million Safe Waters campaign, involving television
commercials, a water safety grants program and a visitor education plan.

Asked if warnings on unpatrolled beaches meant they should be patrolled, and whether those
responsible for patrolling would become liable if someone drowned, Mr Leahy said: "Its not
going to be too far away before someone decides to test that theory.

"I dont think we should be locking off beaches but it certainly requires governments at
all levels to make sure appropriate safety services are in place if people are going to have
access to that coastal environment."

Six people have drowned on the nations beaches over the past four days, including two
teenagers and a man who died on an unpatrolled beach on the NSW mid-north coast yesterday.

AAP cm/tsm/bjm/br

KEYWORD: DROWNINGS LEGAL LEAD

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