❓ Ms. Mitchell raises concerns about the overrepresentation of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in drowning statistics. The Minister outlines initiatives, including a $30,000 grant to the Royal Life Saving Society, to address this issue through targeted water safety programs, particularly for women.
AnsweredQoN 865Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE MIGRANTS —
WATER SAFETY PROGRAM
865. Ms A.R. MITCHELL to the
Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Interests:
Given that a review of data on drowning in Western Australia
indicates that people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
are drastically overrepresented, could the minister update the house on what
initiatives have been introduced to address this problem?
WATER SAFETY PROGRAM
865. Ms A.R. MITCHELL to the
Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Interests:
Given that a review of data on drowning in Western Australia
indicates that people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
are drastically overrepresented, could the minister update the house on what
initiatives have been introduced to address this problem?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for the question, which we have previously
discussed.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Sit
down then.
Dr M.D. NAHAN :
This is an important issue. I do not joke about it.
For quite a few years there has been evidence that people
from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds have a high incidence of
drowning and getting into trouble in water—on boats, swimming, fishing
or otherwise. People from culturally and linguistically diverse communities are
disproportionately represented in the number of drowning deaths when swimming.
This has been the case for many years. I have discussed this with the Royal
Life Saving Society, which has been working on it for a number of years. The
problem is that migrants, particularly from Asia, of which there are many, who
may have lived near water in their home communities—some have fishing
backgrounds—have no affinity with water, or any swimming background,
and are, indeed, afraid of the water. There is evidence that large numbers of
children from culturally and linguistically diverse communities do not
participate in swimming or water safety lessons. Following discussions with the
Royal Life Saving Society, the government granted $30 000 to assist in the
development of policies to encourage people from culturally and linguistically
diverse communities to participate in swimming, resuscitation, water safety and
water knowledge lessons, particularly focusing on swimming lessons for women.
This is for the obvious reason that women in culturally and linguistically
diverse communities care for the kids—just like all communities, mainly—and
if mothers are not comfortable with water they do not encourage their children
to participate. With government assistance, the Royal Life Saving Society has
developed a program targeting culturally and linguistically diverse women,
encouraging them to learn water safety and swimming and to participate in
lessons with their children. It is an excellent program, which we have needed
for many decades. It is not something to laugh about.
discussed.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Sit
down then.
Dr M.D. NAHAN :
This is an important issue. I do not joke about it.
For quite a few years there has been evidence that people
from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds have a high incidence of
drowning and getting into trouble in water—on boats, swimming, fishing
or otherwise. People from culturally and linguistically diverse communities are
disproportionately represented in the number of drowning deaths when swimming.
This has been the case for many years. I have discussed this with the Royal
Life Saving Society, which has been working on it for a number of years. The
problem is that migrants, particularly from Asia, of which there are many, who
may have lived near water in their home communities—some have fishing
backgrounds—have no affinity with water, or any swimming background,
and are, indeed, afraid of the water. There is evidence that large numbers of
children from culturally and linguistically diverse communities do not
participate in swimming or water safety lessons. Following discussions with the
Royal Life Saving Society, the government granted $30 000 to assist in the
development of policies to encourage people from culturally and linguistically
diverse communities to participate in swimming, resuscitation, water safety and
water knowledge lessons, particularly focusing on swimming lessons for women.
This is for the obvious reason that women in culturally and linguistically
diverse communities care for the kids—just like all communities, mainly—and
if mothers are not comfortable with water they do not encourage their children
to participate. With government assistance, the Royal Life Saving Society has
developed a program targeting culturally and linguistically diverse women,
encouraging them to learn water safety and swimming and to participate in
lessons with their children. It is an excellent program, which we have needed
for many decades. It is not something to laugh about.
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