❓ The Minister outlines how new laws enabling drug and alcohol testing on waterways will improve safety by aligning with road rules, increasing penalties for impaired skippers, and empowering authorities to enforce regulations. The reforms also include stricter safety equipment requirements and an education campaign.
AnsweredQoN 769Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MARINE SAFETY
769. Ms C.M. COLLINS to the Minister assisting the Minister
for Transport:
I
refer to the Cook Labor government's commitment to keeping the
community safe. Can the minister advise the house how proposed laws introduced to Parliament today
will improve the safety of our waterways and those who use them?
769. Ms C.M. COLLINS to the Minister assisting the Minister
for Transport:
I
refer to the Cook Labor government's commitment to keeping the
community safe. Can the minister advise the house how proposed laws introduced to Parliament today
will improve the safety of our waterways and those who use them?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question
and acknowledge her particular interest in the important area of water safety.
As she mentioned, earlier today the government introduced amendments to the Western
Australian Marine Act to enable drug and alcohol testing on Western Australian
waterways, which brings WA into line with most other jurisdictions across
Australia and delivers a consistent safety message to skippers and drivers. I thank
the Ministers for Transport and Police for their work on this bill to date.
Under these new laws, skippers navigating a vessel will be subject to the same
drug and alcohol limits and penalties as those in place for drivers on Western Australian
roads. The first stage of the new laws includes offences to target the unsafe
operation of vessels and significantly increases penalties for skippers under
the influence of drugs and alcohol. Skippers who operate a vessel under the
influence face a fine of up to $3 750 for a first offence and more than $7 500
and up to 18 months' imprisonment for
a third or subsequent offence. Those responsible for causing death while under
the influence can face up to 20 years' imprisonment and a fine
that reflects the severity of that offence.
Although the majority of skippers
are responsible on the water, this approach allows officers to test a skipper
for drugs or alcohol to ensure that all
skippers adhere to these new regulations and act to improve safety. The
Department of Transport officers
supported by the Western Australia Police Force will have the ability to test
skippers if required and remove any threat to on-water safety. An
education campaign will also raise awareness of the reforms. In the coming
months I look forward to debating that with the opposition and hopefully
getting its support.
The latest safety reforms designed
for our waterways follow the introduction of more stringent safety equipment requirements for vessels that were announced
recently. The changes to safety equipment will maximise technological improvements, particularly with regard to marine rescues, and will ensure that
life jackets are always carried, and worn when risk is elevated on the water.
On-water incidents in WA have claimed 57 lives in the past seven years, the same number of lives claimed over the former
12 years. As we move to warmer weather, I encourage all boat owners to take the
time to ensure that they have the appropriate safety equipment and to also
skipper the vessel safely.
and acknowledge her particular interest in the important area of water safety.
As she mentioned, earlier today the government introduced amendments to the Western
Australian Marine Act to enable drug and alcohol testing on Western Australian
waterways, which brings WA into line with most other jurisdictions across
Australia and delivers a consistent safety message to skippers and drivers. I thank
the Ministers for Transport and Police for their work on this bill to date.
Under these new laws, skippers navigating a vessel will be subject to the same
drug and alcohol limits and penalties as those in place for drivers on Western Australian
roads. The first stage of the new laws includes offences to target the unsafe
operation of vessels and significantly increases penalties for skippers under
the influence of drugs and alcohol. Skippers who operate a vessel under the
influence face a fine of up to $3 750 for a first offence and more than $7 500
and up to 18 months' imprisonment for
a third or subsequent offence. Those responsible for causing death while under
the influence can face up to 20 years' imprisonment and a fine
that reflects the severity of that offence.
Although the majority of skippers
are responsible on the water, this approach allows officers to test a skipper
for drugs or alcohol to ensure that all
skippers adhere to these new regulations and act to improve safety. The
Department of Transport officers
supported by the Western Australia Police Force will have the ability to test
skippers if required and remove any threat to on-water safety. An
education campaign will also raise awareness of the reforms. In the coming
months I look forward to debating that with the opposition and hopefully
getting its support.
The latest safety reforms designed
for our waterways follow the introduction of more stringent safety equipment requirements for vessels that were announced
recently. The changes to safety equipment will maximise technological improvements, particularly with regard to marine rescues, and will ensure that
life jackets are always carried, and worn when risk is elevated on the water.
On-water incidents in WA have claimed 57 lives in the past seven years, the same number of lives claimed over the former
12 years. As we move to warmer weather, I encourage all boat owners to take the
time to ensure that they have the appropriate safety equipment and to also
skipper the vessel safely.
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