Fencing review shelved
JUSTIN Morgan-Parke was just three years old when he drowned in an unfenced backyard spa.
But as his family mourns the fourth anniversary of his death, the Sunday Territorian can reveal the NT Government has backflipped on its promise to review pool safety laws.
In the months after Justin’s death, his family pushed for pool fencing laws to be reviewed and updated.
The spa the toddler drowned in was on a property larger than 1.8ha, and legally did not need to be fenced.
The family argued, along with Royal Life Saving NT, that the laws should be changed. Both the previous CLP Government and current Labor Government committed to a review.
Now, following a public consultation which received almost 1000 responses, the decision has been made not to review.
Justin’s family, who were too upset to speak, are devastated and disappointed.
Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Minister Eva Lawler said pool fencing in rural and remote areas was an “emotive and complex issue”.
“The report showed the majority of respondents did not support expanding compulsory pool barriers, particularly due to the risk to life and the prevalence of dams, lakes, creeks and other natural water bodies across the Territory,” Ms Pavey said.
“The Territory Government is not proposing to change pool fencing laws, however, will continue to encourage Territorians to do what they can take to improve swimming pool safety on their property to keep their family and the community safe.”
Royal Life Saving NT executive director Floss Roberts questioned why the Government had not told anyone it had decided to shelve the review.
The decision not to forge ahead with a review was disappointing, Ms Roberts said.
“I think it’s also disappointing because I don’t want to have to wait until we have another drowning death and them say, ‘oh we need to fix that’,” she said.
She said updated laws around pools and spas did not need to include dams, creeks or rivers.
“It’s about the simple access to home pools needing to be restricted by a pool fence.”
Royal Life Saving NT will continue to campaign for tighter laws, Ms Roberts said.