❓ An inquiry regarding the status of water safety frameworks and monitoring in WA, following the abolishment of the WA Water Safety Council. The response clarifies responsibilities, provides data on drowning incidents, and acknowledges data gaps regarding long-term disabilities.
AnsweredQoN 1932Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Water Safety Framework 2004–2007, overseen by the Injury Prevention Section in Western Australia Health and the West Australian Water Safety Council established by the previous Labor Government and ask: (a) when was the West Australian Water Council abolished and why; (b) what funding per annum was provided to the Council when it was last in operation; (c) given the Council no longer exists, who is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the strategic action areas of the Water Safety Framework; (d) when will a new Water Safety Framework be provided; (e) how many deaths due to drowning occurred in Western Australia in 2013; (f) how many patients were admitted for drowning, or immersion incidents to West Australian hospitals in 2013; and (g) what percentage of drowning survivors resulted in long term disabilities for the patient?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
6 May 2014
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
56 days
(a) The Western Australian Water Safety Council (WAWSC) was abolished in 2005 to reduce administrative burden and duplication of activities of the Australian Water Safety Council.
(b) The WAWSC did not receive direct funding. Page 17 of the
Western Australian Water Safety Framework: 2004-2007,
states:
"The Western Australian Water Safety Council does not represent an additional layer of organisational bureaucracy and it will not receive funding directly."
(c) The
Western Australian Water Safety Framework: 2004-2007
expired in 2007. Monitoring and evaluation of contemporary policy frameworks on water safety is undertaken by the Western Australian Department of Health (DOH), other State and Federal government agencies and nongovernment organisations such as the Royal Life Saving Society WA.
(d) Contemporary policy frameworks that guide strategic directions and priorities for water safety in Western Australia include the
Australian Water Safety Strategy 2012-2015
(Australian Water Safety Council, 2012) and the
Western Australian Health Promotion Strategic Framework 2012-2016
(Department of Health, Western Australia, 2012).
(e) 41 (source: Royal Life Saving Society WA). This figure is subject to change pending outcomes of Coronial Investigations.
(f) 121 in 2012/13 (most recent available data).
(g) Data is not available on the percentage of people living with disabilities caused by near drowning. A major study would need to be undertaken in order to provide the information requested.
(b) The WAWSC did not receive direct funding. Page 17 of the
Western Australian Water Safety Framework: 2004-2007,
states:
"The Western Australian Water Safety Council does not represent an additional layer of organisational bureaucracy and it will not receive funding directly."
(c) The
Western Australian Water Safety Framework: 2004-2007
expired in 2007. Monitoring and evaluation of contemporary policy frameworks on water safety is undertaken by the Western Australian Department of Health (DOH), other State and Federal government agencies and nongovernment organisations such as the Royal Life Saving Society WA.
(d) Contemporary policy frameworks that guide strategic directions and priorities for water safety in Western Australia include the
Australian Water Safety Strategy 2012-2015
(Australian Water Safety Council, 2012) and the
Western Australian Health Promotion Strategic Framework 2012-2016
(Department of Health, Western Australia, 2012).
(e) 41 (source: Royal Life Saving Society WA). This figure is subject to change pending outcomes of Coronial Investigations.
(f) 121 in 2012/13 (most recent available data).
(g) Data is not available on the percentage of people living with disabilities caused by near drowning. A major study would need to be undertaken in order to provide the information requested.
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