Western Australia's Premier Roger Cook has come under fire for defending significant cuts to the state's long-running VacSwim program, even as the state experiences a dramatic increase in drowning deaths. The controversial decision comes during what authorities describe as one of the worst drowning seasons in recent memory.
Alarming Drowning Statistics Emerge
Recent data reveals that Western Australia has recorded 27 drowning deaths since the beginning of July 2023. This represents a concerning 42 percent increase compared to the same period last year, when 19 fatalities occurred. The figures have raised serious questions about water safety education and the timing of funding reductions to swimming programs.
The Royal Life Saving Society WA has expressed particular concern about the spike in drownings, noting that many incidents could potentially have been prevented through better water safety education. The organization has been tracking drowning statistics across the state and has observed worrying trends in both coastal and inland waterways.
Government Defends Program Changes
Premier Cook has staunchly defended his government's decision to scale back the VacSwim program, which has provided free swimming lessons to Western Australian children for decades. The changes will see the program transition from offering free entry to all participants to a means-tested model where only children from lower-income families will receive free access.
"We're making sure that we target our support to those families who need it most," Cook stated during a recent press conference. The Premier emphasized that the government remains committed to water safety but needs to allocate resources more strategically.
Education Minister Tony Buti echoed these sentiments, explaining that the revised approach would ensure swimming lessons remain accessible to vulnerable children while allowing the government to manage budget constraints. The changes are part of broader education funding reforms that the government says will create a more equitable system.
Community Backlash and Safety Concerns
The decision has sparked significant community backlash, with parents, swimming instructors, and water safety advocates expressing alarm about the potential consequences. Many argue that reducing access to swimming education during a period of increased drowning risk represents poor policy timing.
Opposition Leader Shane Love has been particularly vocal in his criticism, describing the cuts as "penny-wise and pound-foolish." He argued that investing in swimming education now could prevent costly emergency responses and, more importantly, save lives in the future.
Several local governments and swimming clubs have reported being inundated with calls from concerned parents worried about how they will afford swimming lessons for their children. Many families have relied on the VacSwim program as their primary source of swimming education, particularly during school holidays.
Water safety experts have emphasized that swimming skills are essential for all children in a state surrounded by water and filled with swimming pools, rivers, and beaches. They note that the timing of these cuts, coming after several tragic drowning incidents, has created additional anxiety among parents and safety advocates.
The government maintains that its broader commitment to swimming education through school-based programs will help mitigate any negative impacts from the VacSwim changes. However, critics argue that school programs alone cannot provide the comprehensive water safety education that Australian children need in our aquatic environment.
