Safety concern for kids
PARENTS are being warned that the safety of teenagers at Schoolies will not become the responsibility of hotel and Airbnb operators now that the State Government has canned the end-of-year festival.
Lawyers and former event organisers say the biggest threat to schoolies may not be coronavirus but predators, drug overdoses and balcony falls because the State Government has withdrawn its protection program.
In a statement late last week, Schoolies.com’s Matt Lloyd said “our accommodation providers are working closely with our team to implement COVID-safe plans and social distancing protocols, as they would for all non-Schoolies guests”.
A former Schoolies organiser yesterday told the Bulletin: “The comments by Mr Lloyd should send a shiver down the spine of every parent contemplating sending their children to Schoolies. Schoolies.com take no responsibility for schoolies outside of their accommodation and this is the huge and potential problem.
“Schoolies is organic, you can’t stop it. Schoolies.com provides the accommodation, and that’s where it stops. The (State) Government provides the safety net, the social services and diversion strategy – the 30,000 on the beach dance party.”
Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek said at the weekend that the Government “can’t just walk away” after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk cancelled support for the event due to COVID-19 fears.
Her office later suggested security arrangements were up to operators.
Experienced Gold Coast lawyer Bruce Simmonds viewed the Government’s decision to shut down the event during a pandemic as “wise”, and warned parents of the subsequent consequences.
Apart from the threat of coronavirus, schoolies would have to contend with the usual risks – older predators, the potential for drug overdoses and balcony falls, he said.
“If you do something stupid you only have yourself to blame,” Mr Simmonds said.
He said the police and Red Frogs volunteers had previously taken responsibility for ensuring safety but this year there would be no “controlled area”.