Plea to SA pollies from parents and friends of SA teen killed after inhaling gas from BBQ cylinder
Friends say that since Paddy’s death they have become aware of how widespread the party fad called “huffing” is, and how many people are ignorant of its lethal consequences.
SA News
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Friends who witnessed Port Lincoln teen Paddy Ryan die after inhaling gas are urging State Parliament to pass Australian-first laws mandating warning labels on common barbecue gas cylinders.
Paddy, 16, died of heart failure minutes after inhaling Liquefied Petroleum Gas from a 9kg BBQ gas cylinder at a house party in Port Lincoln in February 2020.
His friends say that since Paddy’s death they have become aware of how widespread the party fad called “huffing” is and how many people are ignorant of its lethal consequences.
And parents who knew Paddy say he was “a good kid from a good family” who had no idea he was playing “Russian roulette”.
Friend Max, 16, said: “How dangerous and how quickly it can kill – that was something none of us knew.”
Saxon, 16: “Growing up we’re taught about being safe on the roads, and using alcohol and drugs – but this is something that has never been spoken about before and it needs to be.”
On Tuesday, parliament will debate whether to ban the sale of LPG gas cylinders without warning labels of injury or death from inhalation under Paddy’s Law. Fines of up to $50,000 for a corporate body could apply. Friend Jesse, 17, said: “While we all know that it’s (Paddy’s Law) not going to bring Paddy back, even if it saves one person – that’s one community less that has to go through what we have.”
The success of the Bill, co-sponsored by Labor MP Blair Boyer, hangs on a slim margin of votes in the Lower House.
Liberal MP Peter Treloar will support the Bill despite Treasurer Rob Lucas in July stating the government opposed it.
Mr Treloar, whose electorate includes Port Lincoln, said: “Obviously this is an issue very close to home and it’s much more prevalent than anyone could have imagined.”
Mr Lucas has said voluntary industry labelling and a new safety valve in 2021 made the Bill redundant. There is no regulatory requirement for BBQ gas cylinders in Australia to carry inhalation warnings.
“This should have been done years ago,” said Paddy’s father Adrian Ryan, who has repeatedly called for mandatory warning labels since his son’s death. “Let’s just get it done now,” he said.
Mr Boyer said Paddy’s Law was “just common sense”. “I think if our parliamentarians cannot find it in their hearts to support provisions that could save a young life like Paddy’s, then the public really will give up on the lot of us,” he said.