All NT children will learn to swim under CLP with new water safety alliance

All Territory children will learn to swim under a new plan to be rolled out by the CLP. Read what it is.

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro will announce on Monday every Territory child will learn how to swim under a new alliance between the CLP and peak swimming and water-related sport and recreation bodies.

Ms Finocchiaro said she responded to a need for more swimming and water safety education by organisations concerned about the Territory’s high rates of drowning.

The latest Surf Life Saving drownings report identified 140 Territorians had drowned between July 2002 and 2022, compared to just 40 in the ACT.

NT Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The drowning rate in the NT is 2.03 per 100,00 population, the country’s highest.

Ms Finocchiaro said the alliance’s calls were not adopted by the government and that the CLP had “come to the rescue” with a “historic announcement” set to be made on Monday.

“Royal Life Saving NT has been calling for more swimming and water safety education in schools for over a decade,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

“No child should miss out on learning lifesaving swimming and water safety skills.”

Territorians go to the polls on August 24.

Originally published as All NT children will learn to swim under CLP with new water safety alliance