While the WA Liberal Party make misleading statements about boat safety, the WA boating community has enthusiastically embraced the consultation for the Recreational Vessel Safety Equipment Review Position Paper, launched by the State Government last month.
More than 1,700 surveys have been received so far through the Department of Transport’s MySayTransport online feedback portal, with more expected over the next 10 days.
The discussion paper has 12 proposals designed to simplify laws, making it easier for skippers to comply and save lives on the water.
Opposition Transport spokesperson Libby Mettam has recently made a series of fabricated and misleading claims about the Recreational Vessel Safety Equipment Review.
The Transport Minister has warned survey respondents to be mindful of Ms Mettam’s disingenuous attempt to mislead the WA community for her political purposes.
A number of false and misleading claims include:
- That a Coroner’s report made recommendations regarding the wearing of life jackets in April this year. The Coroner report was in fact delivered in 2015 and the previous Liberal National Government failed to action the recommendations.
- That the consultation proposals weakened the regulations around the wearing of life jackets – this claim is completely false.
- Ms Mettam refers to survey results from previous consultations, which are no longer applicable as the Recreational Vessel Safety Equipment Review Position Paper is seeking feedback on specific proposals.
To download the Recreational Vessel Safety Equipment Review Position Paper go to https://www.mysaytransport.wa.gov.au/safetyequipmentreview
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“I urge all people out there who have a genuine interest in boat safety to read the position paper and complete the survey before November 22, so we can create the best possible policy for boat safety.
“Ms Mettam has a track record of getting the facts wrong and just wanting to scare people.
“Her craven attempts to get a cheap headline through a scare campaign about boat safety consultation has simply revealed her complete lack of understanding, and her willingness to mislead the public.”
