LNP decides to take the plunge

OPPOSITION Leader Deb Frecklington has promised to fund compulsory swimming lessons in all Queensland primary schools as pressure mounts on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to address concerns our school kids can’t swim to save themselves.

Queensland lags behind all other states, which offer comprehensive or compulsory swimming lessons sparking fears from experts, including lifesavers, of a rise in child drowning.

Ms Frecklington made the commitment following a wave of support for the Cairns Post’s Save Our Schoolkids campaign, with Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, Greens, Katter’s Australian Party and newly-elected Independent Sandy Bolton backing the cause yesterday.

The S.O.S. campaign has called on the Government to fund compulsory programs in schools that are benchmarked and equip students with swimming and water safety skills. It has the backing of the Australian Water Safety Council, Royal Life Saving Society Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia and leading Olympians.

Other states spend between $2.5 million and $11 million on their school swimming programs.

Ms Frecklington said she would fund the programs through savings made in the Education Department, which she said was running over budget under Labor.

“The Liberal National Party would ensure every child in a Queensland state school can access swimming lessons,” Ms Frecklington said.

“Lazy Labor’s cost blow outs on information and communication technologies in the education department are costing $17 million. This funding could be used to save lives by teaching our kids how to swim.

“Labor’s fiscal incompetence means our kids are missing out – it’s time to get serious and end the waste.

“Annastacia Palaszczuk should prioritise swimming lessons for our kids over government waste.”

Ms Palaszczuk’s office yesterday stopped short of supporting the campaign, instead saying the Government would “look at all options to improve water safety in Queensland”.

The Education Department also could not answer how many school children in Queensland were currently receiving lessons at school.